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Funding
Everyone, regardless of their status or income is entitled to free and independent legal advice when questioned by the police under caution, whether at a police station or elsewhere. Funding is provided for by Legal Aid.
Legal Aid
We undertake work funded by the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). Legal aid is a system of government funding, administered by the LAA, providing free legal advice for those who cannot afford to pay for legal advice and representation.
If the matter proceeds to Court and you want professional legal representation, you may be entitled to Legal Aid although your eligibility will depend on your circumstances. If you are ineligible for Legal Aid, you will have to privately fund your defence. (You may have some protection under your home insurance policy so it’s worth checking if you can claim some costs).
We are able to accept instructions from both publicly funded clients via Legal Aid and privately funded clients including but not limited to those funded by insurers.Can I get Legal Aid for representation at court?
This depends. Legal Aid is means tested and several state benefits provide a ‘passport’ to Legal aid. This means that, as long as your case merits the granting of Legal aid on the interests of justice, you won’t have to pay anything towards your representation.
You must be aware that, even if you are eligible for Legal Aid, you may be required to pay a contribution to the Legal Aid Agency towards the cost of your Legal Aid if your case goes to the Crown Court. These contributions are not payable to us. Legal Aid is means tested and it is in your interests to provide all the required information as soon as it is requested by the LAA.
If you are not eligible for legal aid we would provide an estimate of our costs to cover your representation.
Please contact us so that we can assess what funding may be available to you.
Privately Funded Representation
At our first meeting, you will be told how we calculate our charges. Whenever possible we will give you a detailed breakdown of the estimated total costs, whether these are our own fees or for an external resource such as a barrister or expert.
We are able to accept payments via debit and credit card along with electronic bank transfer subject to the obligatory money laundering checks being completed.
Each case has an individual tailored approach, so prices do vary. For the best quotation please contact us and we will happily provide a no obligation quote for your case.
Fees
For any summary only motoring offence, guilty plea, one court hearing only – fees of between £450-£750 plus vat.
Fees include:- 2 hours attendance/preparation: considering evidence, taking your instructions, providing advice on likely sentence.- Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court.
The fees do not include:Instruction on any expert witnesses, taking statements from any witnesses, advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing, advice or assistance in relation to any appeal.
The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing:
1. Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened2. We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice3. Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost of £150-£350 per witness, depending on the time taken and assumes that any potential witnesses attend at our office)4. We will explain the court procedure to you, so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the court5. We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have6. We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day7. We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court. We anticipate being at court for half a day8. We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.