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At Bishop and Light we
believe in being open about fees. This page should help you understand
whether you may be eligible for legal aid, how to pay for the very best
Criminal Defence representation and how you can obtain straightforward
legal advice at a reasonable cost by e mail on a matter of Criminal or
Mental Health Law.
Should
I pay or can I get Legal Aid?
Fees
for straightforward cases Hourly
rates Can
I pay you for some initial advice by email on my case? Should
I pay or can I get Legal Aid?
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In
some cases Legal Aid is available regardless of a person's financial
circumstances. This includes most police station detentions and
all cases that end up before the Crown Court. If you have to attend
a police station or if you are facing a serious or otherwise
complicated case then contact us and we can advise you whether you
will be entitled to Legal Aid. |
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before the Magistrates Court are subject to two tests before
Legal Aid will be granted.
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Interests
of Justice test - there must be a reason why your case
requires representation by a lawyer, for example there is a
likelihood of imprisonment if convicted or expert cross
examination is required of Prosecution witnesses. We can
advise you whether you are likely to pass this test. |
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Means
test - this is a fairly complex test and if
you wish to discuss whether you are likely to qualify then
please contact us. We can advise:-
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You
will qualify (subject to the interests of justice test)
if:-
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you
receive Income Support, income based jobseeker's
allowance or a state pension |
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you
are under 16 years of age |
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you
are under 18 years of age but in full time
employment. |
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You
may qualify if your "adjusted" income
does not exceed £20,740. |
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You
will need assistance in working out your
"adjusted" income and there is a means test
calculator available at www.legalservices.gov.uk |
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Some
less serious cases (most road traffic offences, for example) will not
qualify for legal aid regardless of your finances. We can offer you
the peace of mind of fixed fees to represent you in simple cases
before the court, for example guilty plea excess alcohol and speeding
cases. For details of our charges in such cases click here. |
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the Crown Court you are eligible for legal aid provided that the
Interests of Justice
test is met, regardless of your means. However, you should bear
in mind that if convicted in the Crown Court then you can
be ordered to pay your legal aid costs in any event. |
Fees
for straightforward cases
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Putting
your case to the Court can be a daunting prospect, even in the most
apparently straightforward of cases. |
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Our
lawyers are trained in the advocacy skills needed to
present your case. |
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We
can offer a fixed fee to represent you before the Court on a guilty
plea and, if you wish, a prior appointment in the office to advise
you. |
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We
can also offer you fixed fees on straightforward Not Guilty trials,
depending upon the expected length of the trial. |
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In
all such cases we reserve the right to terminate this basis of
charging where it becomes clear that the case is more complicated than
originally anticipated. |
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Our
guideline fees are set out below. |
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In
all cases we require payment in advance of the hearing. |
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Guilty plea to straightforward case at Brighton
or Eastbourne Magistrates Court
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£300 + VAT =
£352.50
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Guilty plea to straightforward case at any other
local Sussex Court (Worthing, Crawley or Horsham)
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£400
+ VAT = £470.00
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Guilty plea to straightforward case at any other
UK Court (We may instruct an agent)
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£500 + VAT =
£587.50
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| Exceptional hardship
hearing (depending upon complexity) |
£350 - £500 + VAT |
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Meeting at office prior to above hearing to take
instructions and advise
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1
hour at appropriate hourly rate for Fee Earner
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Attendance at local Benefits Agency for interview
regarding unlawful Benefits Claim. (If not entitled to Legal Aid)
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£250 + VAT =
£293.75
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Straightforward 1/2 day trial on
Not Guilty plea
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£1,000 + VAT and disbursements
(for example expert fees)
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Straightforward 1 day trial on
Not Guilty plea
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£1,500 +VAT and disbursements
(for example expert fees)
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Hourly
rate
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rates are set out below. In appropriate cases we may uplift
these rates (where, for example, the case is particularly serious or
complex or the work done is particularly urgent). We shall always
advise you in advance if this is the case. I |
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some cases we
may be prepared to discount the hourly rates after discussion with
you and taking account of your means. |
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To
see the status of individual Fee earners click this link: Personnel. |
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Partner
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£165 per hour
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Solicitor/Counsel
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£135 per hour
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Legal
Executive
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£85 per hour
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Trainee Solicitor/Paralegal
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£60 per hour
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All fees are plus
VAT. Routine telephone calls, e mails and letters in and out are charged at
£7.50 per item.
In all cases we shall require
funds on account before we commence work. We can take a credit
or debit card payment by telephone.
In exceptionally serious,
complex or urgent cases then hourly rates will be subject to an uplift which
we will discuss with you in advance. |
E
mail advice
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We
may be able to offer initial advice by e mail on Criminal law or
Mental Health Review Tribunal work. |
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In
some cases we may be able to offer this advice free of
charge. If your query relates to a case that may lead
to us representing you at Court or in a tribunal then we shall usually
be prepared to give initial advice by e mail free of charge. |
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In
many cases you may have a query that you want to raise. For example,
you may face a road traffic prosecution and want advice upon the
likely penalties and mitigating factors that may influence the Court. |
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it is appropriate to charge for advice then we shall inform you
of this and payment can be made by Credit of Debit Card. |

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Bishop &
Light Solicitors
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