Fees

We accept instructions on a private fee basis or by public funding. 

Some work can be undertaken on a fixed fee basis.  Otherwise we will quote an hourly rate that depends upon the seniority of the lawyer engaged.  Please contact us for an estimate or quotation. 

The court may order a proportion of the fees to be reimbursed if a defendant is acquitted.

If you do not qualify for public funding we will represent you with our expertise but you will be responsible for paying any legal fees and disbursements that have been incurred in representing you.

Our fees are calculated by reference to six minute units. Thus if we undertake any preparation, attendance or advocacy we will charge you by measuring the time incurred and rounding up to the nearest six minute unit. Routine letters, telephone calls, faxes, emails and SMS messages are charged as a single unit. Long calls or letters longer than one page will be charged by the number of units of attendance or preparation incurred. When we deliver a bill we will provide you with a schedule of time spent by the fee earners undertaking work on your case. The fee earner’s hourly charging rate varies depending on their experience and the complexity of your matter. We will seek your approval before incurring any disbursements (fees from third parties) in your case.  Our fees are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate.

We will provide you with a cost estimate at the beginning of the case.  If this is exceeded we will inform you as to the reason and provide you with a further cost estimate.  If we are able to agree a fixed fee per day or for the whole case we will confirm this in writing at the beginning of the case.

If you are acquitted you may claim from the court reimbursement of some of your legal fees and travel expenses.

We normally expect £1000 to be paid on account of our costs.  We will hold money held on account of costs in our client account until we deliver a bill to you.  We deliver interim bills as your case progresses to assist our cash flow and your budgeting.  If you wish us to incur any disbursements on your behalf you will need to pay us in advance.  This sum again would be held on our client account until the disbursement is paid or a bill is delivered to you.

We are able to take payment by cheque or credit/debit card.  Unfortunately we are unable to take cash payments in excess of £20.  We will require proof of your identity before taking any payment.  Any payment you make will have to come from an account in your name.  If a third party is paying your legal fees we will need to meet them and they must provide us with satisfactory evidence of their identity and allow us to take copies of any such proof.  We are sure that you understand that if we do not receive the payments on account that we require or you do not pay our bills we will have to decline to continue acting for you. 

Some firms of solicitors may be able to represent you on a no win/no fee basis.  Unfortunately we are unable to do so.  We may be able to persuade a third party to pay your fees if you have a legal expense insurance policy (often included with a home or motor vehicle insurance policy) or are a member of a trade or professional body.  Please bring this fact to our attention if this is the case.  You will also need to provide us with your policy documents.

Proof of Identity and Money Laundering Regulations

If you instruct us on a private basis we will need to see evidence of identity (such as passport, driving license, utility bill) of yourself and of any person that pays fees on your behalf.  We will not be able to continue acting for you if you or the third party do not provide us with satisfactory evidence of identity and allow us to copy it.