I offer a free 30-minute assessment whether remote, telephone or in person if preferred to discuss your circumstances and how I can assist. Further information here →
My legal services are provided through Richard Nelson LLP, an authorised and regulated firm of solicitors I consult for, and subject to separate engagement and regulatory requirements.
Fee Guide and Structure
All fees are exclusive of VAT which is set at 20%. For court or police stations I attend across Cumbria there is no additional travel charge. Disbursements may be applied for matters outside of county. Note I am unable to offer a legal aid service at the present time.
Where appropriate, fixed fee blocks of hours and/or bespoke package can be agreed at the outset to provide cost certainty.
My standard litigation rate is £250 p/hr plus VAT with a minimum charge of 2hrs. This includes up to 60mins conference time either in person at my Whitehaven office or remote as preferred.
My hourly rate has been fixed by reference to published government guidance Solicitors’ guideline hourly rates – GOV.UK for a Band A solicitor ( at least 8yrs PQE) which recommends solicitor hourly rates of £288-295 p/hr for those outside of London. I do not charge additional travel costs for court or police station attendance anywhere in Cumbria.
I do not hold a legal aid contract for means tested representation. I do however welcome use of my free 30min assessment service so that I can discuss and review your needs, options and see how I may be able to support whether cost effectively or onward refer to a legal aid practice.
Magistrates' Court
My magistrates court advocacy fees are calculated at my standard rate of £250 p/hr plus VAT and estimates will be based on the nature of the hearing, complexity, and location. For cost certainty, a bespoke fixed fee for Magistrates Court advocacy can be agreed taking into account whether the case will take a half day; full day or multi day.
Crown Court
As an experienced Solicitor Advocate, I’m qualified to handle every stage of your Crown Court matter, from pre trial hearings (PTPHs), through to trial and sentence. I am also able to provide a full advocacy service for appeals against conviction and/or sentence from the Magistrates to the Crown Court.
Utilising me as a Solicitor Advocate ensures consistent, good quality representation from start to finish, as the sole lawyer instructed who is fully familiar with your case and advocating on your behalf throughout. Alternatively, I can prepare your Crown Court case and assist you in choosing a specialist barrister through my established professional connections.
Fees for your Crown Court matter will be subject to complexity and requirements. I can discuss various options and combinations on application- for cost certainty I can also endeavour to provide a bespoke fixed fee for Crown Court advocacy and/or case preparation with a view to instruction of a barrister as required.
Coroners Court
I provide full representation for Interested Persons (IPs) at Inquests — from Pre‑Inquest Review Hearings (PIRH) through to the final inquest hearing — acting for families, public bodies, businesses and individual professionals.
For cost certainty, I can provide a bespoke fixed fee arrangement for Inquest advocacy utilising my standard rates and/or option of instruction of a barrister at any stage as preferred. This will endeavour to take into account whether any specialist or expert input is required, the nature of the hearing representation is required for, complexity and time estimates.
Attendance at Interview (in person).
I can offer in person representation at interviews conducted by the police, local authorities and prosecuting bodies such as Trading Standards, HSE, the Environment Agency, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Written Interviews
I can provide advice and assistance in relation to written interviews and formal requests for information by regulatory and prosecuting authorities.
Fees are variable depending upon complexity of allegations, type of interview and degree of preparation and conference(s) required ahead of interview. A “fixed fee” to oversee the matter from start to conclusion and make any appropriate representations to the investigating body can be agreed on application.
I can advise and represent clients facing a range of motoring offences in both the Magistrates’and Crown Court — from mobile phone use, no insurance and speeding matters through to excess alcohol/drink driving, drug driving, careless or dangerous driving, and serious cases involving death.
My work will broadly comprise
- Reviewing the evidence, advising you on next steps and options in a face to face (in person or remote) meeting
- Preparing your case and representing you at court as required for plea/sentence and advising on mitigation where appropriate.
- For contested/not guilty Summary cases (Magistrates court trials) fees will incorporate my time for taking statements from you and/or any relevant witnesses for the trial. Fixed fees for contested cases will also incorporate cost for representation at the trial itself.
I am additionally able to advise and/or represent at any stand alone forthcoming sentencing hearing for motoring matters. This includes advising as to whether exceptional hardship or special reasons submissions may help you avoid disqualification. I can advise on prospects of success and evidence required to help support those submissions where applicable. It is critical that appointments are booked with me in advance to discuss this complex argument – my standard litigation rate will apply.
Motoring matters are generally charged at my standard rate of £250 p/hr plus VAT, but I can offer fixed‑fee arrangements through Richard Nelson LLP’s established cost framework Solicitor Fees for Road Traffic and Motoring Offences – Richard Nelson LLP. All fees are exclusive of VAT and do not include expert evidence costs or other disbursements that may be required. Separate fees will apply for appeals or advice on appeal.
Fees for serious Crown Court motoring matters are necessarily higher, whether the case involves a guilty plea and sentence or a fully contested trial. Before any estimate can be provided, I will need sight of the key papers so that I can review the evidence, assess the likely work involved, and prepare a tailored cost proposal.