Policy Statement
Here at BDG Solicitors we recognise that discrimination based on certain criteria still exists in today’s society.
We, however, believe that everyone should be entitled to equal rights and have equal opportunities to receive education, to work, receive services and participate freely within society.
BDG Solicitors are committed to ensuring we deliver equal opportunities within the firm. We do this by the way in which we manage the organization and provide services to the public. We are constantly updating our policies and developing the firm in ways that are conductive to the principles of fairness and equality in the workplace.
Our aim, and the definitive objective of this policy is to ensure that no person, either employee or client, suffers discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, health status, HIV status, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, political beliefs or trade union membership, class, responsibility for dependents, physical attributes, ex-offender status as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, lack of formal qualifications where such qualifications are not formally required, or any other grounds which cannot be shown to be justifiable within the context of this policy.
This policy applies to every aspect of this company’s dealings with employees, clients, third parties or any other person we may come in to contact with and all employees are advised to abide by this policy both during working hours and outside of working hours.
All staff are committed to promoting equal opportunities and will ensure people are treated
equally whether they are:
(a) Seeking use of our services
(b) Applying for an employment position with us or are already employed by us
(c) Students, undertaking work experience or training
(d) Volunteers
(e) Third party contractor
Who is responsible for this policy and how it is implemented
The managing partners of this firm are responsible for ensuring all employees abide by this policy. We expect all employees to be familiar with the policy and to ensure, as above, every person is treated fairly.
In order to implement this policy we;
(a)
Ensure all employees, job applicants, trainees, work experience staff and any other person who may represent BDG are provided with a copy of this policy
(b)
Ensure all staff follow procedures to ensure this policy is implemented in to job descriptions and work objectives
(c)
Ensure that staff dealing with recruitment are fully trained in equal opportunity law and ensure they are trained in non-discriminatory techniques
Conduct and general standard of behaviour
Every employee is required to conduct themselves in a professional and considerate manner towards all persons at all times. The following behaviours will not be tolerated at BDG Solicitors:
(a) Threats
(b) Physical violence
(c) Shouting or swearing at others
(d) Persistent rudeness
(e) Ignoring, isolating or refusing to work with certain people
(f) Being offensive to include jokes or name calling
(g) Displaying offensive material
(h) Harassment or victimisation
Should any employee be found to act any of the above, immediate disciplinary action will be
taken.
Complaints of discrimination
This firm will take all complaints of unlawful discrimination very seriously and will take action where appropriate.
All complaints will be investigated in accordance with this firm’s grievance, complaints or disciplinary procedure
All complaints of this nature will be monitored and should offences occur more than once by the same person, your employment may be terminated.
Legal Obligations
Equal Opportunities and Discrimination (Equality Act 2010)
The new Equality Act came into force in October 2010 and replaces all previous equality legislation in England, Scotland and Wales – namely the Race Relations Act 1976, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, the Sex Discrimination Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, The Civil Partnership Act 2004, the Employment Equality Regulations 2003 (religions and belief and sexual orientation). The Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics are Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief sex and sexual orientation.
In valuing diversity BDG Solicitors is committed to go beyond the legal minimum
requirement regarding equality.
The Equality Act 2010 harmonises and strengthens and replaces most previous equality
legislation. The following legislation is still relevant:
– The Human Rights Act 1998.
– The Work and Families Act 2006.
– Employment Equal Treatment Framework Directive 2000 (as amended).
Recruitment and selection processes
This equal opportunities policy applies to our recruitment and selection process. Staff involved
in the recruitment process will undergo training to ensure discrimination does not occur.
Promotion within the firm is made on merit and all advancements are based on an employee’s
performance and will be made within the overall framework and principles of this policy.
Job descriptions will be collated to ensure they are in line with this equal opportunities policy.
We adopt a consistent, non-discriminatory approach to the advertising of vacancies.
All applicants who apply for jobs with us will receive fair treatment and will be considered
solely on their ability to do their job.
Short-listing and interviewing will be carried out by more than one person where possible.
Interview questions will be related to the requirements of the job and will not be of a
discriminatory nature.
Monitoring
All employees records will be monitored to ensure this policy is being adhered to.
This policy will be reviewed on a regular basis and training will be provided to ensure all
members of staff are up to date with the policy and legal requirements.
Our Services
Our conveyancing team advise people in respect of the process of buying & selling property. We guide people through the different stages of buying and selling a property.
You may not be familiar with the process of purchasing a property and buying or selling a property can seem like a daunting task.
Our expert conveyancing solicitors will guide you through each stage of the property purchase or property sale. They use their many years of combined conveyancing experience to share their tips on buying or selling a property in Hastings, Eastbourne and the surrounding areas.
Our conveyancing solicitors have achieved the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Standard (CQS) accreditation so you can be confident that you will be dealing with solicitors that understand the property market.
,,Our Conveyancing services for Hastings, Eastbourne and the surrounding areas:
From our offices in Hastings and Eastbourne we offer a comprehensive range of Conveyancing services.
- Buying and Selling properties to include houses and flats
- Re-mortgages
- Buying and Selling developments or commercial land and developed units
- Residential leases
- Tenancy agreements
Fees
Sale and purchase fees are based on an escalating scale which depends upon the agreed sale or purchase price. This is so that first time buyers or parties at the bottom of the conveyancing ladder are not disadvantaged.
Our fees are as shown below and are per transaction. The fees quoted do not include VAT which will have to be added to the cost.
Sale/Purchase price for freehold properties
Up to £200,000 – £1,075
£200,001 – £250,000 – £1,145
£250,000 – £300,000 – £1,195
£300,001 – £350,000 – £1,245
£350,001 – £400,000 – £1,295
£400,001 – £450,000 – £1,345
£450,001 – £500,000 – £1,395
£500,001 – £550,000 – £1,495
£550,001 – £600,000 – £1,545
£600,001 – £650,000 – £1,595
£650,001 – £700,000 – £1,645
£700,001 – £750,000 – £1,695
£750,001 – £800,000 – £1,745
£800,001 – £850,000 – £1,895
£850,001 – £900,000 – £2,145
£900,001 – £1,000,000 – £2,550
Please note that for leasehold transactions, there will be an additional fee of £295 (plus VAT) due to extra work involved.
There is an additional fee of £300 (plus VAT) if the property you are purchasing is a new build.
For estimates on sale/purchase price above £1,000,000 please telephone for a quote.
Bank Transfer fee - £35
AML Fee up to £49
Submitting SDLT form to HMRC - £50
Preparation of new lease - £900
Preparation of a straightforward lease extension - £850
Remortgage fees:
£550 for mortgages for mortgages between £150,000 and £300,000
Transfer of equity- £850
All fees quoted are subject to the transaction being of a standard straightforward nature. If there should be any unexpected problems or complexities arising that incur additional work, we reserve the right to increase the fee.
Please note that we do not charge a fee for ‘acting for lender’ if your lender instructs us to also act on their behalf. You may see that the mortgage offer makes reference to an additional fee which some solicitors charge.
Disbursements on the sale of a property
Copy title documents from Land Registry (official copy entries) - £3 per document
Copy planning documents (if we unable to download them from the council website - £10 but this may vary dependent on the Local Authority
Landlord fees for leasehold properties to include obtaining management information - the fee varies as the Landlord can decide the fee
Disbursements on the purchase of a property
Preliminary search bundle to include local, water & drainage, environmental and chancel where applicable, approximately £300 dependent on the location
Land Registry search £3 per title
Bankruptcy search £2.00 per person
Landlord fees for leasehold properties- The amount varies according to the lease and/or landlord
Land Registry fee for registering new owner – escalates dependent on property price but from £20 - £455 for electronic submission
Disbursements on a remortgage
Searches may be required by the lender which would be as above
If searches are not required, then you will need to obtain an indemnity policy, the cost of which varies dependent on the indemnity and indemnity provider. We do not charge a fee for sourcing indemnity policies.
Land Registry search £3 per title
Bankruptcy search £2 per person
Landlord fees for leasehold properties- The amount varies according to the lease and/or landlord.
Land Registry fee for registering new lender – escalates dependent on figure but from £20 - £125 for electronic submission.
Please note that if you are purchasing an unregistered property we are unable to submit an electronic application to the Land Registry. We would be required to submit a paper application and the Land Registry fees double for paper applications.
Family Law
Commercial Conveyancing
Conveyancing
