Private Client Work

All private client court work is conducted by one of our in-house Advocates, all of whom have at least 5 year’s ‘on the job’ experience.  All work is supervised by our Principal, Brian Jackson.

The key stages (outlined below) are based on the presumption that you have a date for a court hearing.

You will meet your advocate to provide instructions on what happened.

We will consider the prosecution evidence disclosed, any other evidence and provide you will advice.  If necessary, we will arrange to take statements from witnesses.

We will explain the court procedure to you, so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing. We will advise on the sentencing options available to the court should you plead or be found guilty.

We will conduct any preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you, if necessary, and answer any follow-up queries you have.

We cannot provide a time that your hearing will actually take place, as this depends on the court listings on the day any hearing is fixed.

Your advocate will discuss the matter with you on the day of the hearing, before you go before the court.

We will discuss the outcome with you, and the merits of any appeal (if relevant).

If necessary, we will discuss the additional cost of conducting an appeal.

PRIVATE CLIENT COSTS INFORMATION

Guilty Plea

For a straight-forward guilty plea matter in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral courts, our fixed fee price is £750 plus VAT.

This fee includes:

• All necessary attendance or preparation,
• Considering the evidence,
• Meeting you at our office and taking your instructions,
• Alternatively, taking your instructions by telephone, if appropriate, practicable, or requested by you,
• Providing advice on merits,
• Providing advice on possible sentences,
• Attendance and representation at one plea hearing and, if sentence is not concluded on the same occasion, one subsequent sentence hearing in the Magistrates Court, and
• Discussing the outcome and the merits of any appeal (if necessary).

The fee does not include:

• Instruction/fees for any expert witnesses,
• Mileage, parking, tunnel fees or other disbursements,
• Taking statements from any witnesses,
• Representation at any other hearing,
• Advice, assistance and representation in relation to a ‘Special Reasons’/’Exceptional Hardship’ hearing, and
• Assistance and representation in relation to undertaking any appeal.

Not Guilty Plea

For a straight-forward not guilty plea matter in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral courts, our fixed fee price is £1500 plus VAT.

This fee includes:

• All necessary attendance and preparation,
• Considering the evidence,
• Meeting you at our office and taking your instructions, 
• Alternatively, taking your instructions by telephone, if necessary, practicable, or requested by you,
• Taking statements from any witnesses,
• Providing advice on merits,
• Providing advice on possible sentences, 
• Attendance and representation at your plea and case management hearing, trial and any sentencing hearing in the Magistrates' Court, and
• Discussing the outcome and the merits of any appeal (if necessary).

The fee does not include:

• Instruction of any expert witnesses,
• Mileage, parking, tunnel fees or other disbursements,
• Taking statements from any witnesses,
• Representation for any hearings in the Crown Court,
• Advice, assistance and representation in relation to a ‘Special Reasons’/’Exceptional Hardship’ hearing, and
• Assistance and representation in relation to undertaking any appeal.

The cost of:

• The time for travelling to any other courts,
• Any travel expenses,
• Appeals, and
• Any other additional matters

will be discussed and agreed with you, as necessary.

For a non-straight-forward case we will discuss with you what we estimate our costs will be and the work that such estimate will cover.