Legal Fees and Court Costs

Understandably, a concern for many people is costs as a result of legal proceedings. The following are costs to consider:

• Your legal fees
• Defendant’s costs order
• Prosecution’s legal costs
• Victim surcharge

Your Legal Costs

Irrespective of the alleged offence our legal experts provide a reduced fee initial meeting for £180 plus VAT. If you would like to arrange a meeting, please contact us.

Unfortunately, we do not act for people by way of Legal Aid, as considerable experience has shown, doing so results in cutting corners and providing a sub standard service. Any work undertaken therefore will be privately funded by you. During the reduced fee initial meeting, if you wished to instruct us to act for you, our legal experts will be able to provide a legal costs estimate at the outset. This will then be confirmed in writing.

Our legal costs vary depending upon the nature of the alleged offence and whether it is to be dealt with in the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court.

Prosecution’s Legal Costs

If you are convicted of an offence, the Magistrates Court or Crown Court may make an order for you to pay the Prosecution’s legal costs in an amount it considers just and reasonable.

However, in deciding the amount payable, the Courts will take into consideration your ability to pay and the impact of any other financial order imposed such as a fine.

The amount of the Prosecution’s legal costs will vary dependant upon the offence in consideration and at what stage you are convicted. If you plead guilty at the first opportunity, the Prosecution’s Legal Costs will be considerably less than if you are found guilty following trial.

If you are acquitted, you will not be required to pay the Prosecution’s legal costs.

Victim Surcharge

If you are convicted of an offence, the Magistrates Court or Crown Court must also order you to pay a Victim Surcharge.

The amount payable depends upon the sentence given, whether or not you are under 18 years of age and whether the offender is an individual or organisation.

The Victim Surcharge ranges from £20 to £120.