Courts

If your case goes to Court

We are always on hand to give you advice about your case, and one of our solicitors will attend Court on the day to represent you. Once we have received information from the Crown Prosecution Service about the matter you face, we recommend that our clients attend the office so we can talk through the situation face to face, stage by stage. It is important to us that our clients understand exactly what to expect when they attend Court, and exactly what the possible outcomes of their situation may be.

Because of the length of time a case can take to progress through the Court system, it may be dealt with by one of several caseworkers. However, all work is carried out under the supervision of the Partners and in particular of Martin Guyll-Wiggins who is the Crime Category Supervisor for our firm. At Court, all appearances are handled by Martin Guyll-Wiggins, Andrew Hobson, Michaela Rose or Steve Beale, our solicitors.

Additional expertise

On occasions, especially if a matter goes to the Crown Court, it may be necessary to instruct a Barrister. This firm has close links with well-established sets of Chambers both in Bristol and Winchester. You can be assured that careful thought is always given to those who we instruct to act on your behalf, taking into account the specific circumstances of your case, as well as your personal needs. If you have any concerns about the sort of representation instructed for you, at any time, we hope you will bring it to our attention.

Funding your case:

In the Magistrates Court

Proceedings at court are covered by the Legal Aid Scheme. A Legal Aid application will be completed and made at court on your behalf. If the application is successful you will receive free legal representation under a Magistrates’ Court Representation Order. You will be required to complete a statement of your means showing your income, outgoings or Benefit entitlement since Legal Aid in the Magistrates’ Court has been means tested since 1st October 2006. The merits of your case will also be an important consideration. If you work or are self employed you will also be required to provide evidence of your income and of your outgoings.

We act privately for clients on a range of matters. Motoring cases in particular normally do not qualify for Legal Aid and a Schedule of our private fees is available when you discuss your case with a solicitor at the firm. For many cases we will actually charge on a fixed fee basis which means that you will know at the very outset of your case how much exactly your case will cost until it is concluded.

In the Crown Court

If you have a case at the Crown Court, you will be asked to complete a Statement of Means. This will enable the court, if you are found guilty at trial, to make an order that you pay some or all of the defence costs. This will usually not happen, but it is at the discretion of the Judge.

The Crown Prosecution Service can ask the Court to make an order that you pay some of the costs of prosecution if you plead guilty or are found guilty.

If the Court decides your case is not serious enough to merit legal aid, then you might still be able to receive assistance in the preparation of your case under the CDS 2 form, which used to be called the Green Form Scheme. It allows us to do up to 2 hours of work on your behalf but does not allow us to represent you at Court. If representation is refused, the firm will be pleased to advise you further about costs if you wish.