OUR PRICING FOR CRIMINAL, REGULATORY AND MOTORING OFFENCES IS AS FOLLOWS:
If you are not eligible for Legal Aid then we can represent you on a private fee basis.
The hourly rate would depend on the solicitor dealing with the case
- For a solicitor £265 plus £53 VAT per hour (Totalling £318 per hour inc. VAT at 20%)
- For a Director £295 plus £59 VAT per hour (Totalling £354 per hour inc. VAT at 20%)
INITIAL HEARINGS AND GUILTY PLEAS
For a guilty plea involving a single hearing our fee estimate is in the region of £550 – £800 plus £110-£160 VAT (Totalling £660 – £960 inc. VAT at 20%)
This amounts to approximately 2 to 3 hours work.
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
If the case is unusual or more complex or the case is adjourned for sentence then a further fee, in a similar amount will be charged.
MAGISTRATES’ COURT TRIALS, SPECIAL REASONS AND EXCEPTIONAL HARDSHIP
For a trial or any contested hearing in the Magistrates’ Court our estimate of fees is in the region of £1,500 – £2,000 plus £300-£400 VAT (Totalling £1,800 – £2,400 inc. VAT at 20%) depending on the level of complexity, number of witnesses and length of the trial.
This amounts to approximately 4 to 8 hours work.
EXPENSES/DISBURSEMENTS
You will be liable to pay any travelling expenses incurred by the firm in dealing with your matter, this will usually be mileage charged at 45p per mile from our Wrexham office to the relevant Court or Police Station plus VAT together with any parking costs plus VAT
By way of example:
- Mold Magistrates’ Court – (24 miles at 45p) £10.80 plus £2.16 VAT (Totalling £12.96 inc. VAT at 20%)
- Llandudno Magistrates’ Court – (108 miles at 45p) £48.60 plus £9.72 VAT (Totalling £58.32 inc. VAT at 20%)
- Caernarfon Magistrates’ Court – (150 miles at 45p) £67.50 plus £13.50 VAT (Totalling £81.00 inc. VAT at 20%)
There is also a required Electronic ID fee of £9 plus £1.80 VAT (Totalling £10.80 inc. VAT at 20%)
KEY STAGES
- Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened.
- We will consider the initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice.
- Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost).
- 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 on the day of the court hearing, 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 will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
HOW LONG WILL MY MATTER TAKE?
This will depend on when the case is listed which varies from area to area (as per point 6 in the key stages part) and how early we are instructed. On average the process in the Magistrates’ Court takes between 1 and 3 months.
THE CRIMINAL AND REGULATORY TEAM
The team are listed below. Patrick Geddes supervises all criminal, regulatory and motoring work.
| Name & Role | Hourly Rate | VAT | Total (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Geddes Director and Head of Department | £295 | £59 | £354 |
| Melissa Griffiths Consultant | £295 | £59 | £354 |
| Pierce Blythen Associate Solicitor | £275 | £55 | £330 |
| Charlotte Cooper Solicitor | £265 | £53 | £318 |
| Rhian Jennings Crown Court Paralegal and Accredited Police Station Representative | £165 | £33 | £198 |
