Business Details
12 Years
experience
Trusted Legal Services Across Five Counties
Five Counties Legal Services was established in 2014 to provide cost-effective legal solutions across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire. Our principal solicitor, Ian Fraser, brings over 43 years of experience in property and private client law, having worked with firms such as Charles Russell Speechlys and Weld & Beavan. We specialise in residential and commercial conveyancing, probate, wills, and lasting powers of attorney, utilising modern techniques to reduce overheads and pass savings to clients. Our services include fixed-fee structures for conveyancing and probate, home visits at no extra cost, and tailored estate planning advice. We prioritise client care and efficiency, operating without traditional office overheads to maintain competitive pricing.Our expertise extends to lease extensions, collective enfranchisement, and commercial property transactions, supported by a deep understanding of civil law. We collaborate with trusted partners to handle mortgage-related work where required, ensuring comprehensive service delivery. Our commitment to transparency includes clear fee structures and no hidden costs, with a focus on resolving disputes through mediation rather than litigation. We maintain affiliations with Carr Richards Solicitors for ongoing consultancy and adhere to Solicitors Regulation Authority standards. Our approach combines traditional legal expertise with innovative practices to meet modern client needs.
Services
Conveyancing
Probate
Wills
Lease extensions
Commercial property
Estate planning
Lasting powers of attorney
Deputyship applications
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We offer over 43 years of legal expertise in property and probate matters.
- Fixed conveyancing fees starting from 400 and probate fees from 325.
- Home visits available at no extra cost for client convenience.
- Our services utilise modern techniques to reduce costs without compromising quality.
- We provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees or unexpected charges.
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
Services
Residential conveyancing
We handle freehold and leasehold property transactions across five counties. Our fixed fees start at 400 for sales and 450 for freehold purchases. We assist with unencumbered properties and estates requiring sale during administration. Our process includes contract preparation, local authority searches, and HM Land Registry registration.
Probate administration
We provide full probate services including grant applications, asset collection, debt settlement, and residue distribution. Fees start at 325 for estates under 325,000. Our team prepares estate accounts and handles complex distributions involving charities or multiple beneficiaries. We also assist with contentious probate matters through mediation.
Wills and LPA
We draft simple and complex wills starting at 95, including testamentary guardianship clauses. Our lasting power of attorney services cover property/financial affairs and health/welfare, priced from 175 per document. We advise on trust creation and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies to protect beneficiaries and minimise inheritance tax.
Lease extensions
We facilitate lease extensions through private negotiation or statutory procedures under the 1993 Act. Costs start at 550 for private agreements and 790 for statutory extensions. We explain the financial implications of ground rent commutation and assist with collective enfranchisement for flat owners seeking freehold acquisition.
Commercial conveyancing
We support business sales involving property assets, goodwill, and trade fixtures. Our services include lease grants under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, HM Land Registry compliance for leases over seven years, and transactional support for commercial freehold/leasehold purchases. We coordinate with accountants for asset value splits in business transfers.
People
Ian Fraser
Principal Solicitor
Qualified in 1981 with experience at Charles Russell Speechlys and Weld & Beavan. Specialises in property and private client law with over 43 years' practice. Provides consultancy to Carr Richards Solicitors and established Five Counties Legal Services in 2014.
Questions
Do you operate outside the five counties?
Yes, we consider cases beyond our core counties. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
What are your conveyancing fees?
Fixed fees start at £400 for sales and £450 for freehold purchases, with detailed breakdowns provided upfront.
Can you assist with lease extensions?
Yes, we handle both private negotiations and statutory lease extensions under the 1993 Act from £550.
Do you offer home visits?
Yes, home visits are available at no extra cost for wills and power of attorney consultations.
Are your fees inclusive of VAT?
From August 2024, all fees will include 20% VAT. Disbursements remain additional.
Can you help with complex probate cases?
Yes, we handle contested estates, trust administration, and high-value probate matters with specialist expertise.
