Wilsons Solicitors provide advice under the legal aid scheme, offering eligible clients the benefit of Legal Aid funding to cover representation at the Police Station, Youth Court, Magistrates Court and Crown Court.

Police station attendance following an arrest is free of charge and a legal right.

Eligibility for Legal Aid in both the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court is subject to two tests

• A means test and;
• An interests of justice test

The eligibility of means is different depending on which court ultimately hears your case. In the Crown Court, even if you are granted Legal Aid, you may still be required to pay a contribution towards the costs of your representation (determined by the Legal Aid Agency).

If you are not eligible for Legal Aid or wish to fund your representation privately. Please contact our offices to speak to our Solicitors.

We are available 24/7. Contact us now on 01865874497

• Police Station Representation
• Youth Court
• Magistrates Court
• Crown Court
• Courts-Martial (Military courts)
• Motoring Offences

ROAD TRAFFIC AND MOTORING CASES

This includes arguments for special reasons for not disqualifying on a totter, mitigation and dealing with defended cases for driving with excess alcohol or under the influence of drugs or guilty plea, death by careless or dangerous driving.

We deal with applications for the return of licences, speeding offences, removal of licence for medical reasons and advice generally on most motoring offences. We prefer to see you first for an initial consultation and advice in writing and our charge is £300 plus VAT currently at 20%

Costs

For special reasons for not endorsing your licence or disqualifying you: estimate of fees £1,500 to £2,500 plus VAT currently at 20% and travel expenses 60 pence per mile plus VAT currently at 20% and disbursement such as experts’ fees. This is an estimate and may increase if the case takes more than one day or there is an appeal.

Defended breathalyser cases where there is a legal or genuine factual argument and we will advise you at the initial consultation, the estimate of £1,500 to £4,500 plus VAT currently charged at 20% plus travel expenses as set out above and disbursement such as experts’ fees, but this could increase depending on the circumstances and complexity of the case and number of witnesses.

Timescales & Key Dates

Stage 1) First appearance to advise on plea, mitigation likely sentence considering the sentencing guidelines.

Stage 2) If not guilty, case management hearing with expert nominated and time scales for report to be filed

Stage 3) Further hearing to make sure all directions of the court have been complied with

Stage 4) Trial – From start to finish of case usually less than 6 months but it depends on court availability and the courts time scales.

Time and key dates will always be at the discretion of the court and availability of the expert if required to give evidence. After estimate given by the expert as to his fees

Hourly Rates

• Howard J. Wilson £350 to £400 per hour (over 40 years’ experience)
• Laurence Wilson £280 per hour
• Sebastien J. Wilson £250 per hour

All rates are plus VAT currently charged at 20%

For the avoidance of doubt, the following are not included it the above pricing : Witness expenses , expert opinion (inc drug and alcohol testing) , court costs and fees, fines or agent fees.

 

FUNDING

We have a legal aid contract with the legal aid agency. Clients depending on mean and merits cases in some instances may be entitled to public funding and whether they have to pay a contribution to their funded legal expenses will depend on their means or passporting benefits.

We will represent you at the Police Station for interview free of charge and the Youth Court, Magistrates Court and Crown Court depending on means and merits eligibility or where legal aid is free because of say the age of the client being a juvenile or the person is on passporting benefits.

Free representation at a police station either voluntary or under arrest is free of charge and a legal right.

Eligibility for Legal Aid in both the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court is subject to two tests

• A means test and.
• An interests of justice test

The eligibility on means is different depending on which Court your case will be heard at. In the Crown Court, even if you are granted Legal Aid, you may still be required to pay a contribution towards the costs of your representation (determined by the Legal Aid Agency).

If you are not eligible for Legal Aid or wish to fund your representation privately. Please contact our offices to speak to our Solicitors.