Kerry is the acknowledged expert on legal systems, funding, Conditional and Contingency Fee Agreements, retainers, and marketing and advertising legal practices.
Senior Partner at Underwoods Solicitors and a solicitor since 1981, his consultancy clients include sovereign states and governments, multinational law firms, sole practitioners, barristers’ chambers and many more.
The consultancy service includes as many Zoom/Teams meetings as you want on any issues and a telephone and email helpline.
It also includes a full check, and rewrite if necessary, of all of your Retainers and Funding Agreements, Client Care Documents, and Money Laundering Documents, SRA Transparency procedures and includes 27 Sets of Employment Policies as per the list below.
It includes advice on third party funding, litigation funding, funding methods, the explanation to be given to clients, and all aspects of costs and in particular how to minimize the risk of client challenges under the Solicitors Act 1974, and the extension of fixed recoverable costs to all civil cases of £100,000 or less in April 2023. It includes advice on marketing and advertising, and Employment and Human Resources related matters.
This service also includes the Kerry on Costs and So Much More newsletter, Documents, Agreements and Advices and Zoominars and books at no further cost and a 30% discount for all of your staff on any courses Kerry does in 2024.
Although the new Guideline Hourly Rates have only just come in, they are to be reviewed within two years, with the whole issue of whether the location of the office should make any difference to the hourly rate.
If you instruct us to go on the record in relation to any matter, or deal with anything outside the consultancy, then we will act on a discounted Conditional Fee Agreement and that discounted rate will be half of our normal rate, and so work done by Kerry on that basis will be £400 an hour plus VAT.
Pricing
The cost for one year is £8,000 plus VAT - total of £9,600.
You can add a one day visit to your office for £1,500 plus VAT and travel and subsistence.
"Kerry is one of the people who started me blogging in the first place. There is no doubt he is the "go to" expert in relation to costs, retainers and conditional fees. He is not afraid to give straight, robust, advice to practitioners and clients alike. His input is essential to those attempting to earn a living from litigation in these difficult times." Gordon Exall, author of Civil Litigation Brief
“We are a small, specialist 6 solicitor strong firm in Kent dealing with clinical negligence claims for patient Claimants.
We have been using Kerry for a couple of years now as a consultant to provide the following annually:- (1) review all our CFA and allied client care and costs documentation for full and up to date regulatory and recovery compliance (2) provide an all day training course with the fullest supporting documentation – bespoke to our individual circumstances and needs (3) be on hand to advise us authoritatively, definitively and practically with any problems or issues that arise on files ad-hoc throughout the year.
I can honestly say that the arrangement is one of the best that my firm has ever entered into both in terms of risk compliance and commercial recovery. Kerry’s knowledge in this area is Encyclopedic and simply unrivalled. He combines it with prompt efficient support whenever needed with the full benefit of commercial nous and understanding our firm and the market place that we operate in. It all adds up to extraordinary value for money and I would strongly recommend his consultancy to any firm of any size in any area of practice where costs recovery is important – which I guest is most”
Nick Fairweather, Fairweathers Solicitors LLP
“We are a firm of solicitors in South Wales, who act solely on behalf of Personal Injury Claimants. Kerry began carrying out consultancy for us in early 2013 with the abolition of the recoverability of success fees and ATE insurance premiums looming on the horizon. Without wishing to put too fine a point on it, I think it’s safe to say that his input transformed the way in which we operated. We adopted the ‘Underwoods Method’ of funding and have seen our Practice grow – in terms of new instructions, turnover and profitability - year on year as a result, ever since”
Alistair Worth, Solicitor and Managing Director, Mooneerams Solicitors, Cardiff
“I engaged Kerry Underwood to spend a day with me at my office to run through my files, answer some specific questions and ensure compliance. As a sole practitioner, I found it highly valuable to have a knowledgeable colleague with whom to discuss issues of particular importance to my practice. I cannot thank him enough for his down to earth approach and helpful guidance. I can highly recommend his consultancy service”.
Barbara Woodbridge, Millgate Woodbridge Ltd
“Howlett Clarke has used Underwoods services for a specific project and Kerry provided invaluable help and advice on Conditional Fee Agreements and assisted the firm in drafting the necessary documentation. Kerry’s practical expertise on funding and retainers is second to none.”
Jackie Gillespie, Managing Partner, Howlett Clarke
“Kerry Underwood combines rigorous analysis, hard work and commercial acumen in a manner that is all too rare among legal advisers. He is more than a lawyer. He is a consigliere.”
Donal Blaney, Griffin Law
To discuss this tailor-made service please contact Kerry on 01442 430900 or email kerry.underwood@lawabroad.co.uk
