You always have the option of choosing to pay us privately for the work that we do. You may not be eligible for Legal Aid, or decide not to make an application. It may be that someone else is prepared to pay your legal costs.
We usually agree fixed fees before we start work and this gives clients a very clear picture of what their overall liability to us will be, up to a particular stage in the case or its conclusion. We recognise, however, that this method of charging is not for everyone, and that some clients prefer to pay by the hour for our work. We will give you a cost estimate, which will be regularly updated as the case progresses and we get a clearer picture of the work that will be needed.
If you have instructed us on a private paying basis, you will be required to pay money on account of costs at regular intervals. That applies whether you have agreed a fixed fee with us or not. We will tell you how much your initial payment will be, and the amounts to pay, at intervals throughout the life of the case. If these payments are not made then we will not be able to continue representing you.
We would be very happy to talk you through the likely cost of your case in terms of our fees and additional expenses. Please contact a member of our Criminal Law team to find out more about any aspect of costs and funding.