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Funding your Case
We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality legal advice to all our clients irrespective of how their case is funded.
Every person has the right to free and independent advice when at the police station. That is the case whatever your financial circumstances might be. If you are to appear before the Magistrates' Court you can apply for legal aid to cover the costs of your defence. Legal Aid enables people who would not otherwise be able to afford a lawyer to have the same level of representation as those who can. Legal Aid in the Magistrates' Court is subject both to a financial test and also an "interests of justice" test. If you qualify for legal aid in the Magistrates' Court, you will have no contribution to pay to the costs of your representation. We can advise you fully about the application process free of charge. |
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If your case is to go before the Crown Court then Legal Aid is again subject to a financial test. However, the system is different to that for Magistrates' Court cases, and if you are granted legal aid you may have to pay a contribution towards your defence costs if you can afford to so so. Again, we can advise you free of charge.
If you are not eligible for legal aid, our private client rates are extremely competitive. We would normally give a fixed fee quote so that you would know from the outset what you will have to pay, although in some complex cases we may have to charge an hourly rate. If this were to apply to your case we would give you an estimate of what our fee was likely to be, and keep you updated as to the costs incurred.
If you do fund your case privately and you are subsequently found "not guilty" we can apply to the court for your defence costs to be reclaimed.
If you are not eligible for legal aid, our private client rates are extremely competitive. We would normally give a fixed fee quote so that you would know from the outset what you will have to pay, although in some complex cases we may have to charge an hourly rate. If this were to apply to your case we would give you an estimate of what our fee was likely to be, and keep you updated as to the costs incurred.
If you do fund your case privately and you are subsequently found "not guilty" we can apply to the court for your defence costs to be reclaimed.
Do you want an appointment to discuss these issues?
Call us on 01942 771771 or email us at enquiries@sms-solicitors.co.uk
Call us on 01942 771771 or email us at enquiries@sms-solicitors.co.uk