Legal and Private Funding
Investigations
All representation at the Police Station, or on interview by any other investigative agency such as the DWP, HMRC etc., is publicly funded (Legal Aid), regardless of an individual’s means, and regardless of the allegation.
There is therefore, no cost to you for having a solicitor represent you at such an interview.
Magistrates Court
- Legal Aid at the Magistrates Court is subject to two tests, the first being means. This takes into account various financial obligations, including whether an individuals has any dependent children etc. We can of course advise as to whether you are likely to satisfy the means test, taking into account your individual circumstances. The second limb of the test is the ‘Merits’ of the application. Here, the Legal Aid Agency will consider the offence with which you have been charged, its complexity, whether custody is likely if convicted etc. prior to determining whether to grant legal aid or not.
- Apex lawyers will advise as to whether this limb of the test is likely to be satisfied, and will complete the application on your behalf.
Crown Court
- Like the Magistrates Court, it is subject to a means and merits test. The difference in the Crown Court however, is that one of three things can occur, subject to your income.
- 1. Means Pass
- 2. Means Pass but with a contribution notice; and
- 3. Means fail.
- Like the Magistrates Court, Apex lawyers can advise as to the likely outcome, and submit the relevant applications on your behalf.
Private Funding
- If you are not eligible for legal aid because of your means, or because the offence is deemed not to satisfy the merits test, Apex Lawyers Limited are happy to discuss the requirements of your case so as to tailor an appropriate quote on a private paying basis.
- We will advise as to who will be dealing with the case and the amount of work that is involved in the preparation of your case to give you certainty with fees and avoid any unexpected bills.
- Our fees for cases heard at Leicester Magistrates Court can range from £500 + VAT up to £2500 + VAT depending on the type of offence and whether you will be admitting the offence or denying the offence due to having a defence in law.
- Please feel free to call our firm for a no-obligation, free initial telephone consultation and we’ll happily provide you with a quote. Where we can, we’ll provide you with a fixed fee, so you don’t have to worry about the costs.
- If you are not eligible for legal aid because of your means, or because the offence is deemed not to satisfy the merits test, Apex Lawyers Limited are happy to discuss the requirements of your case so as to tailor an appropriate quote on a private paying basis.
- We will advise as to who will be dealing with the case and the amount of work that is involved in the preparation of your case to give you certainty with fees and avoid any unexpected bills.
- The VAT is currently charged at 20% will be added to our fees and some disbursements.
- The solicitor that may be involved in the case are either Mr Shabir Mirza or Mr Prakash Morar, their profile can be found here.
Please see below a breakdown of our fees;
Private Funding - Guilty Plea
Guilty Plea
- A guilty plea to ANY offence is £500 + VAT at Leicester Magistrates Court.
- Fee includes:
- • 2 hours attendance/preparation (approximately)
- • considering evidence
- • taking your instruction
- • providing advice on likely sentence
- • attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court
- The fee does not include:
- • instruction of any expert witnesses
- • taking statements from any witnesses
- • advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing
- • advice or assistance in relation to any appeal.
- The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing.
- • Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened
- • We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice
- • Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost, which will be agreed in advance)
- • We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the court
- • We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have
- • We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day
- • We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court. We anticipate being at court for either that morning or afternoon depending on the court list
- • We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
- Any representation for out of Leicester cases will vary in costs up to £3,000 + VAT depending on the location and type of hearing. Please call us in order for us to discuss the matter further.
Private Funding - Not Guilty Plea
Not-Guilty Plea
- A not guilty plea to ANY offence can range from £1000 + VAT to £2500 + VAT at Leicester or Loughborough Magistrates Court.
- Fee includes;
- • attendance/preparation
- • considering evidence
- • taking your instructions
- • taking statements from witnesses at our office
- • providing advice on likely sentence
- • attendance and representation at Magistrates Court for ALL hearings (first hearing, special measures hearing, bad character hearing, legal arguments hearing, special reasons hearing, trial).
- The fee does not include:
- • instruction of any expert witnesses
- • advice or assistance in relation to any appeal to the Crown Court
- • committal to the Crown Court for sentencing hearing.
- The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you have entered a not guilty plea and have a date for your hearing.
- • Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened
- • We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice
- • Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary
- • We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the court
- • We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have
- • We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day
- • We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court. We anticipate being at court for normally the morning of afternoon of the hearing date depending on the court’s listing schedule
- • We will discuss the outcome with you.
- Any representation for out of Leicester cases will vary in costs up to £3,000 + VAT depending on the location and type of hearing. Please call us in order for us to discuss the matter further.
Apex lawyers can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our practice doesn’t stop, nor does our representation stop, as arrest can happen at any time.
If you, a family member, or a friend thinks that they may need advice
Do not hesitate to call our office on: 0116 299 1999
Or for the 24 hour Police station number: 0794 902 0809
Apex lawyers can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our practice doesn’t stop, nor does our representation stop, as arrest can happen at any time.
If you, a family member, or a friend thinks that they may need advice
Do not hesitate to call our office on: 0116 299 1999
Or for the 24 hour Police station number: 0794 902 0809