Transparency

We offer a free initial telephone consultations in order to get to know you and your situation. This first consultation allows us to discuss your issues, and the best way to assist you in the situation.

Legal Aid

You could be entitled to legal aid funding if you are suspected of, or charged with, a criminal offence. Legal aid can cover funding at the police station, the Magistrates’ Court and at the Crown Court.

Representation at the police station

If you are interviewed under caution by the police, you are entitled to free and independent legal advice. This means that in the vast majority of cases when interviewed for a new offence, funding will be covered under legal aid, whatever your financial circumstances are. If you are charged with a criminal offence and have to attend court, you may be entitled to legal aid.

Representation at Court

Sahota & Sahota Solicitors will always advise you on the availability of legal aid at the Court stage of proceedings. The rule as to whether you qualify for legal aid funding can be complicated. We will determine if you are eligible for legal and then guide you through the process of securing funding to cover your legal costs.

Further information relating to determining criminal legal aid, means testing can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-legal-aid-means-testing

Private Fees

In the event that you are not entitled to legal aid funding, we can represent you privately. In the majority of cases we will provide you with a fixed fee for each stage of proceedings where we can. Our fees can vary depending on whether you enter a Guilty plea or a Not Guilty and the number of hearings involved.

Should we not be able to confirm a fixed fee, as a guide, please note our hourly rate for representation. Our hourly rate will differ depending on the experience of the fee earner dealing with your case:

– Partners and senior solicitors, solicitor advocates or barristers – £255.00 per hour
– Other solicitors – £218.00 per hour
– Paralegals – £150 per hour

Motoring Offences

For more serious offending you may qualify for legal aid funding however for straight forward matters legal aid may not be available. In the majority of cases we will provide you with a fixed fee for each stage of proceedings where we can.

We will agree a fixed fee for each stage of work that we carry for you where we can. For matters such as client meetings, a first court hearing or a straight forward sentencing hearing, this is quite simple to do. For defended matters, these cases go to trial and are less easy to deal with by way of a fixed fee but we will give you an estimate of costs and keep you fully updated as matters progress.

Fees for representation on a fixed fee basis for a road traffic offences which is dealt with at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court range between £450.00 plus VAT (£540) to £1250.00 plus VAT (£1500). Services include:

• Conference with your Solicitor to provide instructions.
• Considering of disclosure and the case papers / evidence.
• Providing advice on the available evidence and in relation to your plea and likely sentence. Consideration of the Sentencing Guidelines.
• Where relevant, consideration as to whether there may be an exceptional circumstances, or a special reasons argument to be raised.
• Explaining the Court process to you so that you are fully aware of what to expect.
• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court.
• Confirming the outcome of the Court hearing with you and advising on next steps and any additional costs.

Our fees are fixed and include the items as above, however there may be factors which would increase the cost of the fees involved in your case. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a estimate of those extra costs will be provided.

If you plead not guilty or there are any circumstances that mean your matter is adjourned, this will not be included in the fixed fee. The fixed fee will not include the following services:

• Preparation for trial and representation at trial.
• Attendance at a Court outside the Leicestershire area
• Instruction of any expert witnesses.
• Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing
• Advice and Assistance in relation to an exceptional hardship hearing
• Any additional hearings
• Submitting an appeal against sentence / conviction.
• Hearings before the Crown Court.

Expenses and disbursements (e.g. barrister fees if instructed, expert report fees, interpreters etc) are not included within our fees quoted. We will obtain a quote from the third party and agree the fee with you before instructing an expert.