Legal aid rates for Solicitors instructing Counsel in criminal matters at the Magistrates’ courts where a Legal Aid representation order is in place:
First Appearance:
£75.00 + Vat + Travel
Standard appearances and non-effective hearings (Mentions, CMH, Bail apps etc)
£75.00 + Vat + Travel
Magistrates’ Court trial (Half Day)
£100.00 + Vat + Travel
Magistrates’ Court trial (Full Day)
£150.00 + Vat + Travel
Private fees for Solicitors instructing Counsel in criminal matters at the Magistrates’ courts:
Fees for criminal matters at the Magistrates’ court are dependent entirely upon weight and complexity of the case and the level of seniority and expertise of Counsel instructed. Fees should be discussed with the clerks via instructing solicitors. You may be required to provide papers relating to the case to the clerks to assist in determining fees applicable.
First Appearance:
Not Guilty Plea – From £250
Guilty Plea (to include sentence on same day) – From £500
Standard appearances and non-effective hearings (Mentions, CMH, Bail apps etc)
From £150
Magistrates’ Court trial (Half Day)
From £350
Magistrates’ Court trial (Full Day)
From £500
Conferences and written work
From £150 (Junior) – From £700 (Silk) per hour
Private fees for Clients’ instructing Counsel in criminal matters at the Magistrates’ courts under the Public Access Scheme:
Fees for criminal matters at the Magistrates’ court are dependent entirely upon weight and complexity of the case and the level of seniority and expertise of Counsel instructed. Fees should be discussed with the clerks. You may be required to provide papers relating to the case to the clerks to assist in determining fees applicable.
First Appearance:
Not Guilty Plea – From £250
Guilty Plea (to include sentence on same day) – From £500
Standard appearances and non-effective hearings (Mentions, CMH, Bail apps etc)
From £150
Magistrates’ Court trial (Half Day)
From £350
Magistrates’ Court trial (Full Day)
From £500
Conferences and written work
From £150 (Junior) – From £700 (Silk) per hour
Legal aid rates under the GFS (Graduated Fee Scheme) for Counsel in criminal matters at the Crown courts where a Legal Aid representation order is in place:
Legally aided Crown court instructions are billed by Counsel to the LAA (Legal Aid Agency). The full guidance from the LAA can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/947606/CCFG_-_Version_1.12_-_October_2020.pdf
Private fees for Solicitors instructing Counsel in criminal matters at the Crown courts:
Fees for criminal matters at the Crown Court are dependent entirely upon weight and complexity of the case and the level of seniority and expertise of Counsel instructed. Fees should be discussed with the clerks via instructing solicitors. You may be required to provide papers relating to the case to the clerks to assist in determining fees applicable.
Conferences
From £150 (Junior) – From £700 (Silk) per hour
Written Advice
From £150 (Junior) – From £700 (Silk) per hour
Appeals against Conviction
From £500
Appeals against Sentence
From £400
Committal for Sentence
From £350
PTPH (Plea and trial preparation hearing)
Not Guilty plea – From £350
Guilty plea (to include sentence on same day) – From £750 (dependant on offence, location, complexities, seniority of counsel etc)
Standard appearances and non-effective hearings (Mentions, CMH, Bail apps etc)
From £250
Sentence
From £350
Trial
Will be quoted on a case by case basis dependant on offence, location, complexities, seniority of counsel, time estimate etc. Any quote for a trial fee will include a ‘Brief fee’ which includes all preparation for the trial and the first day of trial. Any subsequent days are known as ‘refreshers’ and will be charged for each subsequent day that the trial is listed.
If a fee is agreed for a trial and the client decides to plead or the prosecution offers no evidence prior to the trial date, a ‘cracked trial fee’ is applicable. This will be agreed with the clerks, based on the work undertaken by the barrister up to and including the date of the ‘crack’ and will include any hearings required.
Private fees for Clients’ instructing Counsel in criminal matters at the Crown courts under the Public Access Scheme:
Fees for criminal matters at the Crown Court are dependent entirely upon weight and complexity of the case and the level of seniority and expertise of Counsel instructed. Fees should be discussed with the clerks. An initial conference may be necessary to allow us to determine to work involved and provide an accurate estimate. You may be required to provide papers relating to the case to the clerks to assist in determining fees applicable.
Conferences
From £150 (Junior) – From £700 (Silk) per hour
Written Advice
From £150 (Junior) – From £700 (Silk) per hour
Appeals against Conviction
From £500
Appeals against Sentence
From £400
Committal for Sentence
From £350
PTPH (Plea and trial preparation hearing)
Not Guilty plea – From £350
Guilty plea (to include sentence on same day) – From £750 (dependant on offence, location, complexities, seniority of counsel etc)
Standard appearances and non-effective hearings (Mentions, CMH, Bail apps etc)
From £250
Sentence
From £350
Trial
Will be quoted on a case by case basis dependant on offence, location, complexities, seniority of counsel, time estimate etc. Any quote for a trial fee will include a ‘Brief fee’ which includes all preparation for the trial and the first day of trial. Any subsequent days are known as ‘refreshers’ and will be charged for each subsequent day that the trial is listed.
If a fee is agreed for a trial and the client decides to plead or the prosecution offers no evidence prior to the trial date, a ‘cracked trial fee’ is applicable. This will be agreed with the clerks, based on the work undertaken by the barrister up to and including the date of the ‘crack’ and will include any hearings required.
