Legal Aid & Private Funding | Berris Law Transparent Fees

Legal aid is available for a range of our services although in some instances this may be subject to means and merits assessments conducted by the Legal Aid Agency.

Legal Aid Funding

Our clients can benefit from legal aid funding in criminal defence and family law services we offer. Legal aid is subject to eligibility and more information can be found here.

Criminal Defence

Arrest is a shock. We have an incredibly experienced team responding 24/7 x 365 days a year to advise and represent you in the police station.

The police often “invite” people to attend “voluntary” interviews under caution. It is also increasingly common for police to invite themselves into your home to interview you there.

No matter how it starts the most basic and single rule is NEVER BE INTERVIEWED WITHOUT LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION.

There is such a world of difference between words used to explain an event – “I head-butted him” or “our heads collided”? On your own you may give in to pressure and suggestion that you are to blame.

We act in the most serious cases, murder, conspiracies, drug supply, and financial investigations. Every case is unique, every case needs skill and care.

Legal aid funding in relation to police station attendances is available to everyone and is not subject to any means or merits testing. Our fees are paid in full by the Legal Aid Agency.

There are occasions where clients want a particular Solicitor of the firm to represent them and we can undertake such work on a private basis. Our private fees are detailed below.

Magistrates Court Representation

If you have been charged by the police or summons the court, legal aid is available for representation in the Magistrates’ Court.
Legal aid funding is subject to an application being made to the Legal Aid Agency. It is assessed both on the merits of the application and the means of the applicant.

We can advise on whether you will qualify for legal aid and more information can be found here.

If you do not qualify, or wish to instruct us privately, we can discuss with you an hourly rate or fixed fee depending on the nature of the case. Where you instruct us on a private basis, and you are acquitted, or charges are dismissed you may be entitled to reclaim a portion of your legal costs from central funds. We assist clients, free of charge, with this process.

For more information please contact a member of our team.

Legal aid funding is available for clients in the crown court. Legal aid is usually granted on merits but are also subject to means testing.

We can advise on whether you will qualify for legal aid and more information can be found here. Generally, if your household has an annual income of £37,500 or more you will not qualify for legal aid.

If you do not qualify, or wish to instruct us privately, we can discuss with you an hourly rate or fixed fee depending on the nature of the case. Where you instruct us on a private basis, and you are acquitted, or charges are dismissed you may be entitled to reclaim a portion of your legal costs from central funds. We assist clients, free of charge, with this process.

However, unlike cases heard in the Magistrates’ Court you may only recover a portion of your private legal fees in the Crown

Court where you have:

Applied for legal aid 

Been refused legal aid on means 

Are acquitted

Family & Matrimonial

Legal aid is available for a range of family law matters although has been restricted in recent years.

Legal aid funding is available subject to:

Scope – The matter is within the scope of legal aid

Means test – you are unable to afford your own legal costs

Merits test – the likelihood of success, the reasonableness of the costs and whether a reasonable person would use their own money to pay for the case.

Most family cases will be means tested; so, you will have to show that you cannot afford to pay legal costs. You will be required to give information about your income, benefits, savings, property and shares and those of your partner.

For some cases you can get legal aid regardless of your financial means. Non means tested legal aid is available if your child is subject of care or supervision proceedings. You may qualify for legal aid for some injunctions, such as a non-molestation order, but you might be required to make a financial contribution.

Legal aid is available for the following family issues:

applications for a non-molestation order or occupation order;

applications for a restraining order under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997;

applications for a Child Arrangements Order, Prohibited Steps Order or Specific Issue Order, if you or your child have suffered or are at risk of suffering violence or abuse from the other party. For more information about accepted evidence see the bottom of this page;

representation for children who are made party to private family law proceedings;

applications for forced marriage protection orders;

proceedings brought by the local authority for a care order or supervision order;

cases where your child has been or is about to be taken out of the UK without your consent;

from 10 December 2015 onwards, applications for post-adoption contact under section 51A Adoption and Children Act 2002, either where there is evidence of domestic violence or child abuse or for a child who is party to the proceedings.

Where legal aid funding is not available, we can be instructed on a private basis. Depending on the nature of the case we can offer an hourly rate or fixed fee service. For more information see our private fees section.

Private Instruction

You can instruct us privately on an hourly rate basis or sometimes for a fixed fee. Our hourly rates are variable dependent upon the experience of the Solicitor you wish to instruct and the area of law.

Fixed fees are available, or can be agreed, on a range of cases but may not be suitable to every single case.

Below you will find details of our private hourly rates which are exclusive of VAT.

Private Hourly Rates

Our typical hourly rates are set out below. VAT is applicable in addition to all hourly rates specified below and do not include disbursements which may be incurred during your cases. Typical disbursements can include Counsel’s fees and other expert fees.

Partner :

£400.00 per hour

Senior Solicitor :

£350.00 per hour

Require us out of hours please either telephone us on 020 3325 7415 or email us on info@berrislaw.co.uk or complete the online form.

GET IN TOUCH

Let's Chat, It's Free

We know that no two cases are ever the same and we are dedicated to guiding you through the legal process with tailored solutions which work for you.

Fill out the form to request your consultation today, this will be an initial meeting to see how we can help and get to know each other, with no obligation.

The office is open from 9 am to 5.30 pm Mondays to Fridays excluding bank holidays. In the event your call is urgent and require us out of hours please either telephone us on 020 3325 7415 or email us on info@berrislaw.co.uk or complete the online form.

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frequently

Asked Questions

How much does a criminal defence solicitor cost?

The cost of legal representation depends on the nature and complexity of your case, the court involved, and the amount of work required. Some matters can be handled on a fixed-fee basis, while others may be charged hourly.

We always aim to be transparent about costs and will discuss fees with you before any work begins.

Do you offer fixed fees?

Yes, in many cases we can offer fixed fees, particularly for straightforward matters such as Magistrates’ Court proceedings, guilty pleas, or specific hearings.

A fixed fee provides certainty and allows you to budget with confidence.

Do you accept Legal Aid?

Yes, we accept Legal Aid if clients are eligible. Legal Aid may be available for police station representation and for certain court proceedings, subject to means and merits tests set by the Legal Aid Agency.

Will I have to pay for a solicitor at the police station?

No. Legal advice at the police station is free of charge for everyone, regardless of income, and is fully funded by Legal Aid.

You have the right to request a solicitor of your choice before being interviewed. Alternatively, you will also have the option of using the duty solicitor.

Am I eligible for Legal Aid?

Eligibility for Legal Aid depends on the type of case, your financial circumstances, and whether the case meets the Legal Aid Agency’s criteria. We can assess your eligibility quickly and advise you on whether you qualify.

What is the means test for Legal Aid?

The means test looks at your income, savings, and household circumstances to determine whether you qualify for Legal Aid and whether you are required to make a contribution. If you do not qualify, we can discuss private funding options.

What happens if I don’t qualify for Legal Aid?

If you are not eligible for Legal Aid, we can act for you on a private basis and agree on fees that reflect the scope of work involved. We will explain all available options and ensure there are no hidden costs.

Can I change solicitors if I already have one?

In many cases, yes. You are entitled to change solicitors if you are unhappy with your current representation, whether your case is privately funded or legally aided, although some restrictions may apply for Legal Aid cases.

We can advise you on the process.

Do you offer payment plans?

In appropriate cases, we may be able to agree on staged or flexible payment arrangements. This will depend on the nature of the case and the anticipated work involved, and can be discussed during your initial consultation.

Will I get my money back if the case ends early?

If your case concludes earlier than expected, we will review the work carried out and ensure fees are fair and proportionate. Any unused portion of a fixed fee may be adjusted accordingly.

Are there additional costs I should be aware of?

Certain cases may involve additional expenses, such as expert reports or court fees. We will always inform you in advance if any extra costs are likely to arise.