Why do we charge?

Making legal protection for animals sustainable, accessible and professional

Animal protection should be more than a principle. It should be something that can be upheld, enforced and defended. But in reality, legal action is often out of reach, especially for those seeking justice on behalf of animals. The costs, the uncertainty, and the lack of available support can all become barriers. At Advocates for Animals, we are working to change that. 

As a specialist not-for-profit animal protection law firm, we exist to make legal support more accessible while also ensuring it is rigorous, strategic and sustainable.

Not-for-profit does not mean free. It means mission-first

We are proud to be a not-for-profit law firm. This means everything we do is shaped by our commitment to animals, not profit margins. Any surplus we generate is reinvested into the firm, so we can continue supporting individuals and organisations working to protect animals.

Professional legal work requires resources. Preparing a case, giving accurate advice, understanding complex legal systems and responding to urgent issues all take time and skill. Charging for our services allows us to do this properly, without cutting corners or relying on unpaid labour.

A wider impact: building a serious and sustainable field

When we charge for our services, we are not just covering our costs. We are contributing to the development of a sustainable, professional field of animal protection law.

For many years, legal protections for animals have existed largely on paper. Enforcement has been inconsistent, and specialist legal advice was often either inaccessible or offered on a volunteer basis. While volunteer support remains valuable, long-term change requires full-time focus, dedicated expertise and legal infrastructure that is consistent, credible and responsive.

By charging modest, consistent fees, we are able to build the depth of expertise needed to respond to urgent requests, support strategic litigation, and advise on everything from judicial reviews to undercover investigations. It allows us to best represent our client’s interests. 

It also sends a clear signal: animal law is real law. It deserves the same time, training and investment as any other area of serious legal practice.

Keeping our services accessible

Many of our clients are individuals, grassroots organisations or small charities. They come to us because they believe something unlawful or unjust is happening to animals, and they want to take action through legal channels. We have built our firm specifically to support this kind of client. Not corporate clients with commercial interests, but those acting in the public interest, often on behalf of animals who have no legal standing of their own. 

We recognise that legal fees can be daunting, particularly for individuals and small charities. That is why we keep our rates as low as we reasonably can.

Our hourly rate is currently £80 plus VAT, and our day rate is £600 plus VAT. These rates are significantly lower than those charged by most commercial law firms.

Why we charge, and why it matters

We are a not-for-profit firm, but we still need to charge for our work. Without doing so, we could not offer professional legal services, take on urgent requests or pursue strategic legal challenges that benefit animals. By charging fairly and keeping our rates low, we are able to remain resilient and sustainable for the benefit of our clients and for the animals whose interests they represent.

Getting advice

This post is not legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you require legal advice on animal protection laws, please contact info@advocates-for-animals.com.