Falsely Accused of Crime

Do I have to have a duty solicitor?

Duty Solicitors will be available at police stations and at court to cover first appearances.

It’s a matter for you whether you wish to have a duty solicitor to cover your case at the police station or the first appearance at the magistrate’s court.

You cannot be forced by the police or court to have a duty solicitor.

Unless you wish to be represented by them throughout your case, you should not sign legal aid forms for court representation with the duty solicitor.

Call us to discuss what you should do – we will still be taking calls from clients who have to go to court.

How long will this action take?

We hope that the dispute will be resolved as soon as possible and we will be able to continue to represent you in your ongoing case.

Can I pay privately?

You can pay us privately if you wish.

I already have legal aid – will this affect me?

No – it only affects cases where we have still have to apply for legal aid.

Fixed Fee

We may be able to provide advice or representation to you under a fixed fee. This is particularly the case if you need representation at a single court hearing. You can ask your solicitor about this option.

Hourly Rate

This rate varies according to the seniority of the lawyer involved.

You can contact us if you would like our assistance with any of our Criminal Defence services. We will provide you with a free initial assessment of your case in the first instance and then advise you on funding options and our rates.

Whether you are publicly funded, or paying privately, you can be assured that we offer value for money and are completely transparent in our charging. This means that you will always be in control of your costs and fees, and you’ll experience no surprises.