Crime Fees

We will discuss the best method of payment with you prior to you instructing us. In many cases individuals prefer to have certainty in relation to the costs they will incur. In such cases, we operate a fixed fee payment system that varies according to the complexity of the case. The range of costs is set out below. However, for clients who prefer to be billed on an hourly rate bases and on the most complex cases our hourly rates are shown below.

All fees are exclusive of:

1.  VAT which will be charged at the standard rate current at the time the fee is incurred
2. Disbursements such as Interpreter Fees, Medical Report, Counsels Fees, Expert Reports. These costs will be discussed with you prior to being incurred.

What our charges cover

Guilty Plea

For a typical summary only offence, involving a guilty plea and concluded in a single court attendance, we will:

• Take your initial instructions, usually via a telephone consultation
• Review and consider the prosecution evidence
• Advice in relation to the evidence, plea and likely sentence
• Represent you at a single hearing at a Magistrates Court within Central London
• Advice in respect of process, options and next steps

The above fee does not include:

• Additional hearings due to adjournments beyond our control
• Interviewing witnesses and drafting witness statements
• Instructing expert witnesses
• Application for ‘exceptional hardship’
• Application for ‘special reasons’
• Representation at trial
• Any work or advice relating to an appeal or appeal process
• Any court fees, third party costs or other charges

Should a guilty plea be adjourned for reasons beyond our control we will charge an additional fee of £500 plus VAT for appearing before court again.

If you require representation at a Magistrates Court outside of Central London, please contact us as different fees may apply.

Exceptional Hardship or Special Reasons

If you need assistance with either an application for ‘exceptional hardship’ or an application for ‘special reasons’ our fees cover:

• Taking your initial instructions, usually via a telephone consultation
• Review and consideration of prosecution’s evidence
• Identifying and obtaining any mitigation
• Interviewing witnesses and drafting witness statements
• Review and consideration of any evidence which assists with the application to court for an ‘exceptional hardship’ or ‘special reasons’ argument
• Representation at a single hearing at a Magistrates Court within Central London to put the argument forward

The above fee does not include:

• Additional hearings
• Instructing expert witnesses
• Seeking advice from a barrister should the case require
• Representation at trial
• Any work or advice relating to an appeal or appeal process
• Any court fees, third party costs or other charges

Expert witnesses’ costs must be paid in full by you prior to instructing the expert. We will obtain a quote from the expert and subject to your approval of costs and payment by you in full, we will instruct the expert and request the statement/report be completed for the case.

Any hearing extending beyond one session will incur an additional cost of £500 plus VAT.

If you require representation at a Magistrates Court outside of Central London, please contact us as different fees may apply.

Not Guilty Pleas and Trials

Not guilty pleas will require our assistance to challenge the case against you at a trial in Court. This includes representation at your first court appearance where your plea of not guilty will be entered. The court will then try to ascertain the nature of your defence, the number of witnesses on the prosecution’s side and on the defence’s side and estimate how long the trial will last.

The cost of the trial will depend on several factors and the complexity of the case. These factors may include where the trial will be heard, the number of trial days, the number of witnesses on both sides, whether expert witnesses that are required, whether you require representation by a barrister.

Disbursements

Disbursements are additional costs in the case which will be recovered from you. These may include the time it takes to travel to a Magistrates Court outside of Central London, travel expenses (fuel/train) to the Magistrates Court, expert report costs, interpreters’ fees, barrister fees and travel costs. This is not an exhaustive list of additional costs but aimed at giving you an idea of what may be included in your circumstances. Mileage is charged at 45p per mile plus VAT.

Our Private Hourly Rates