Fees and Funding
Supporting Legal Aid and Privately Funded Cases
We understand that paying for legal representation can be costly, which is why we accept both privately funded and legal aid cases. We work with clients from all around Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and the UK, providing first class criminal defence advice and representation. Our solicitors have extensive knowledge and experience, but we are proud to have kept our services at competitive prices.
With Alexander Bennett Solicitors, you can feel confident that your legal concerns will be dealt with compassionately and efficiently, with prices that reflect our values of inclusivity and transparency. We understand that legal costs can place significant strain on personal finances. As a small firm, we are able to tailor our support to the case at hand, delivering our services to a range of client budgets and case requirements.
What is Legal Aid?
For those with limited financial means, legal aid is a good choice for obtaining legal representation without having to fund the costs. If you qualify for legal aid, your legal costs are partially or fully paid for with public funds, provided by the Legal Aid Agency. To find out if you are eligible for legal aid, please contact us today and we will be more than happy to assist you.
Whether you are eligible for legal aid or funding your case privately, you can expect the highest level of service from our dedicated team. We communicate regularly and clearly with our clients, discussing all legal options, concerns, and potential outcomes in depth.
Privately Funded Legal Support
As a privately funded client, you will receive the highest level of bespoke legal representation and support, with the opportunity to develop a close relationship with a senior solicitor or partner. If your case is allocated to the Crown Court, you will also have the opportunity to work with one of the leading barristers, including KCs, we frequently work with. You will feel confident that you are in safe hands and that the expertise of your legal team will achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Our team of partners, solicitors and paralegals have decades of experience providing legal services to privately funded clients. We understand that the cost of legal support can be significant and pride ourselves on our open and clear communication. When you instruct Alexander Bennett Solicitors, there are no hidden costs, no surprise fees, and no sudden increases. We ensure that you are kept fully informed of costs from the outset and are regularly updated as the case progresses.
Private Funding: What Are the Costs?
Alexander Bennett Solicitors is able to offer no-obligation quotes, giving you an understanding of the typical costs of a legal case from start to finish. Costs may vary depending on the severity of the case and the type of legal support required. We offer both fixed fees and hourly rates, giving clients a range of cost-effective options. Please contact us directly to discuss privately funded costs or to enquire further about your eligibility for legal aid.
Our Fees for Driving and Road Traffic Offences
We are required to provide price information for assistance in relation to summary only motoring offences under Part I of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and s89 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The information below is intended as a guide to our costs in relation to the legal representation required for these offences.
The most common types of such offences include:
- Drink driving
- Drug driving
- Driving without due care and attention
- Failing to provide a specimen in connection with a drink or drug related case
- Speeding
- Failing to provide driver details
- Failing to stop/report after an accident
We tend to work on a fixed fee basis and the cost information provided below is based on a typical guilty plea and sentencing scenario.
Our standard fee
£750 plus VAT (charged at 20%) and includes:
- 2 hours attendance/preparation:
– Considering evidence
– Taking your instructions
– Providing advice on a likely sentence - Attendance and representation at a single hearing and half a day Magistrates Court hearing.
Exclusions
The fee does not include:
- Instruction of an expert witness/es
- Taking statements from a witness/es
- Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons/exceptional hardship hearing
- Advice or assistance in relation to an appeal
- Disbursements in respect of our mileage/travel expenses in attending court. Mileage is charged at 45p per mile
Key stages
The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing.
- You will meet with your solicitor to provide instructions regarding what took place
- We will consider initial disclosure and any other evidence and then provide advice
- If necessary, we will arrange to take any witness statements (this will carry an additional cost of £200 per hour plus VAT)
- We will clearly explain the court procedure to you, as well as outlining the sentencing options available to the court, so that you know what to expect on the day of your hearing
- We will conduct any additional preparatory work and, if necessary, we will obtain further instructions from you, as well as answering your follow up queries
- We cannot provide a specific timeslot for when your hearing will take place, as this will depend on the court listing for that day
- We will attend court on the day of your hearing and meet with you prior to going before the court. We estimate being at court for half a day
- Following the hearing, we will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
If the matter should progress to trial, our fees would be tailored to the specific circumstances of the case, following the first appearance, and we would discuss this with you at that time.
The Alexander Bennett team has extensive experience in dealing with all matters relating to Motoring Offences, including those involving death, therefore you can be assured that you are in safe hands.
If you are looking for legal advice, please contact them they gave me the best type of reassurance and I would highly recommend them.
