Pricing
We charge a fixed fee which, dependent on the seriousness of the matter and the likely work involved, will be between £1,250 and £3,000 plus VAT @ 20%.
There may also be barrister’s fees. The instruction of a barrister will be discussed and agreed with you in advance. The barrister’s fee is likely to be between £500 and £2,000 plus VAT @ 20%
The Fee Is Based On A Guilty Plea and includes:
a. Providing legal advice on the charge against you pre-court summons (or postal requisition);
b. Reviewing the prosecution’s initial disclosure of evidence against you and advising you on the appropriate plea;
c. Explaining the court procedure to you;
d. Drafting character references on your behalf to come from your friends and family (max. 4);
e. Preparing a bundle of documents to support your case;
f. Providing advice on likely sentence;
g. Representing you at the Magistrates Court for your first hearing entering your plea and making mitigation submissions on your behalf.
What Does This Fee Assume/Exclude?
- That a guilty plea has been or will be entered to the charge and you have a date for your first court hearing.
- The prosecution, police, HMCTS (Court service), and client will deal with matters expeditiously.
- The matter can be dealt with in one attendance at the Magistrates Court, matters adjourned for pre-sentence reports with probation or for additional disclosure a further charge will be incurred for each additional attendance required at court.
- If material is disclosed before or at the first hearing which indicates that a not guilty plea is appropriate the matter will not be concluded at first appearance.
- That you will communicate with us when asked to and provide full instructions when required.
If any of these key assumptions are incorrect or change over time, we will need to provide you with a revised scope of work, revised timetable and revised fee.
To help avoid any misunderstanding, we bring to your attention the fact that that we are not providing you with any advice on any of the following:
- Attendance at the police station.
- Booking a drink driving rehabilitation course for you.
- Advice on whether special reasons apply to your case.
- Attendance at appointments with the probation service.
- Attendance after court for the purpose of fines enforcement.
- Attendance at court when produced in custody following a failure to appear on bail or response to a summons.
- Any appeals against sentence and/or conviction.
- Representation or any drafting involved in an appeal against sentence and/or conviction.
- Attendance on or dealing with the press.
If applicable, we will price these and any other requirements separately for you.
When necessary we will, in consultation with you, obtain such additional advice as is required from appropriately qualified third parties. Please note that on the occasion an expert is required the expert’s fees are not included in the fixed fee.
Please note that if a not guilty plea is to be entered the fee will likely be higher than the above figures. The amount of the fee will depend on such things as the issue generally, whether complex areas of law are involved, number of witnesses, and the length of the trial.
Our Team
Nils O’Donoghue – Partner and Solicitor
Based: Halifax Office
Nils joined Chadwick Lawrence in May 2011, becoming an Associate with the firm in October 2015, and a Partner in October 2017. Nils has 12 years’ PQE experience. Nils helps businesses and individuals with their regulatory and compliance issues both on a contentious and non-contentious basis.
Nils has an enviable success rate in motoring law matters and regularly acts for individuals who find themselves being prosecuted by the Police for speeding, drink driving and other various motoring law offences.
Nils also advises individuals who are being interviewed under caution by the Police and other prosecuting bodies, and also has experience of advising both individuals and businesses who are being investigated or prosecuted by Trading Standards, the CQC, the FCA, HM Revenue and Customs, Local Authorities and The Health and Safety Executive, import and export issues.
Nils’ hourly rate for motoring matters is £300 plus VAT @ 20%.
Jessica Brennan – (Trainee) Paralegal
Based: Halifax Office
Jessica joined Chadwick Lawrence in July 2023 and assists in all aspects of criminal and regulatory work. Jessica’s standard hourly rate is £90 plus VAT @20%.
Jessica studied her law degree at the University of Exeter, studied her Bar Practice Course at the University of Law and was called to the Bar in March 2024.
Hannah Evans – (Trainee) Paralegal
Based: Halifax Office.
Hannah joined Chadwick Lawrence in September 2023 and assists in all aspects of criminal and regulatory work. Hannah’s standard hourly rate is £90 plus VAT @ 20%.
Hannah is a (trainee) paralegal in the Regulatory and Crime Department and is based in Halifax. She assists the team in all aspects of criminal and regulatory work.
Hannah studied her law degree at Leeds Beckett University and is currently studying her LPC as a part-time Masters course at Leeds Beckett University.
