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.
	Cases before the Magistrates Court are subject to two tests before Legal Aid will be granted.  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. 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:- You will qualify (subject to the interests of justice test) if:- you receive Income Support, income based jobseeker's allowance or a state pension you are under 16 years of age you are under 18 years of age but in full time employment. You may qualify if your "adjusted" income does not exceed £20,740.  You will need assistance in working out your "adjusted" income and there is a means test calculator available at www.legalservices.gov.uk
	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.
	In 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 

	Putting your case to the Court can be a daunting prospect, even in the most apparently straightforward of cases.
	Our lawyers are trained in the advocacy skills needed to present your case.
	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.
	We can also offer you fixed fees on straightforward Not Guilty trials, depending upon the expected length of the trial.
	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.
	Our guideline fees are set out below.
	In all cases we require payment in advance of the hearing.

 

Guilty plea to straightforward  case at Brighton or Eastbourne Magistrates Court	£300 + VAT = £352.50
Guilty plea to straightforward  case at any other local Sussex Court (Worthing, Crawley or Horsham)	£400 + VAT = £470.00
Guilty plea to straightforward  case at any other UK Court (We may instruct an agent)	£500 + VAT = £587.50
Exceptional hardship hearing (depending upon complexity)	£350 - £500 + VAT
Meeting at office prior to above hearing to take instructions and advise	1 hour at appropriate hourly rate for Fee Earner
Attendance at local Benefits Agency for interview regarding unlawful Benefits Claim. (If not entitled to Legal Aid)	£250 + VAT = £293.75
Straightforward 1/2 day trial on Not Guilty plea	£1,000 + VAT and disbursements (for example expert fees)
Straightforward 1 day trial on Not Guilty plea	£1,500 +VAT and disbursements (for example expert fees)

Hourly rate

 

	Our 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
	In some cases we may be prepared to discount the hourly rates  after discussion with you and taking account of your means.
	To see the status of individual Fee earners click this link: Personnel.

 

Partner	£165 per hour
Solicitor/Counsel	£135 per hour
Legal Executive	£85 per hour
Trainee Solicitor/Paralegal	£60 per hour
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

	We may be able to offer initial advice by e mail on Criminal law or Mental Health Review Tribunal work.
	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.
	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.
	If it is appropriate to charge for advice then we shall inform you of this and payment can be made by Credit of Debit Card.