Criminal law legal fees
Clear criminal defence fees, explained in plain English. Where possible we offer fixed fees. If work is billed hourly, we will confirm costs upfront and keep you updated if more time is needed.
Criminal law consultations
| Fixed fee appointments | Fees including VAT |
| Initial consultation (1hr)
Price dependent on seniority |
£270 |
For more information on general criminal law matters, click here.
Magistrates court hearings
| Hearings | Fees including VAT |
| First hearing (charged per hearing)* | £1,020 |
| Administration hearings (charged per hearing)** | £600 |
*Includes a same-day pre-hearing consultation, review of prosecution papers, advice on plea and strategy, representation at the first hearing, and dealing with the CPS on your behalf.
**Mention & Case Management hearings Includes representation at administrative hearings, advice as needed, and dealing with the CPS on your behalf.
Magistrates court trials
| Trial | Fees including VAT |
| Half-day trial* | £2,400 |
| Full-day trial* | £4,200 |
| Additional days (each)* | £1,800 |
| Sentencing (charged per hearing)** | £1,020 |
| Bail applications and/or variations (pre- and post-charge)*** | £1,020 |
*Includes preparation for trial, review of case papers, advice as needed, instructing experts where applicable, representation at trial, and dealing with the CPS on your behalf.
** Includes a same-day pre-hearing consultation, review of pre-sentence report, advice on sentence, representation at the sentencing hearing, and dealing with the CPS and Probation Service on your behalf.
***Includes drafting the bail application, liaising with the Court, CPS or Police, and representation at the bail hearing.
For more information on common and serious crime, click here.
Hourly rates
| Grade | Fees including VAT |
| Grade A: Sarah Barnard, Managing Partner | £354 |
| Grade B: Kerri Allingham, Criminal Law Executive | £296.40 |
| Grade C | £241.20 |
| Grade D: Lauryn Griffin, Criminal Law Assistant | £170.40 |
Additional Fees & Disbursements
Disbursements are third party costs that are not included in our fees set above. Court attendances outside of Southampton will incur an additional £150.00 plus VAT to cover travel time, plus mileage charged at £0.45 per mile.
Our fees do not include:
- Court fees, surcharges or prosecution costs
- Counsel fees
- Independent experts (we will always consult with you if we think one might help)
- Interpreter and translation fees
What our fees include:
- Your initial consultation where we gather information around your circumstances and advise you from there
- Gathering the necessary documents with yourself, providing you with a detailed checklist of what is required
- Corresponding with other parties and the courts
- Providing advice from start to finish where a decision has been made
Have you got a question about our fees? Get in touch!
Frequently asked questions
Yes. All fees shown on this page are inclusive of VAT, so the total you see is the total you pay for our legal fees.
If any additional costs are likely to apply (such as travel outside Southampton or third-party disbursements like expert reports), we will explain these separately before they are incurred.
Contact us for an accurate quote based on your circumstances.
Contributor: Kerri Allingham, Criminal Law Executive
An administration hearing (also called a mention or case management hearing) is a procedural court hearing used to move your case forward. It is usually where the court confirms what the case is about, deals with any immediate issues, and sets directions such as deadlines for evidence, statements, or service of documents.
Even though it is not a trial, it can be important because decisions made at this stage can affect preparation, timetables, and what happens next. We will explain what the hearing is for in your case and what you should expect, so you are clear on the next steps.
Contributor: Kerri Allingham, Criminal Law Executive
No. Motoring offences are charged using the same fixed-fee structure as other Magistrates’ Court matters. This is because some motoring cases can be resolved at a single hearing, while others may involve additional hearings or further steps depending on how the case progresses.
Contributor: Kerri Allingham, Criminal Law Executive
Most Crown Court cases are funded through Legal Aid, subject to eligibility. If you are eligible, we will explain what this covers and guide you through the process.
If you are not entitled to Legal Aid, private fees are usually quoted once the case is sent to the Crown Court. This is because Crown Court matters can vary significantly in complexity, preparation time, and whether barristers (counsel) or experts are needed.
Once we have the relevant details, we will explain the likely scope of work, discuss any anticipated additional costs, and provide a clear quotation so you can decide how you wish to proceed.
Contributor: Sarah Barnard, Managing Partner
Yes. If your hearing is listed at a court outside Southampton, an additional travel-time charge applies. This is £150 plus VAT (total £180). Mileage and other travel disbursements (such as parking) may also be charged separately where applicable, with mileage charged at £0.45 per mile.
Contributor: Sarah Barnard, Managing Partner
Sometimes, yes. If your matter requires a high volume of communication, multiple emails or calls in a single day may be treated as additional work and charged at the applicable hourly rate.
Where this is likely to apply, we will explain it upfront and keep you informed, so you remain clear on what is being done and why.
Contributor: Kerri Allingham, Criminal Law Executive
Yes. Leonard Solicitors’ criminal defence team can advise on Legal Aid eligibility and support you with the application where it applies.
In many cases, police station advice and assistance is available regardless of income, so it is always worth asking for a solicitor if you are arrested or invited to an interview under caution.
For court proceedings, Legal Aid is generally means tested. In the Magistrates’ Court, funding depends on both a financial assessment and whether the case meets the “interests of justice” criteria. In the Crown Court, most cases can proceed under Legal Aid, but you may still be assessed and could be asked to make contributions depending on your means.
If you are not eligible for Legal Aid, we will explain your private fee options clearly before you instruct us.
Contributor: Kerri Allingham, Criminal Law Executive
If you have any concerns about costs, communication, or the service you are receiving, the quickest way to resolve them is usually to raise it with the person dealing with your case. They can explain what work has been carried out, what is planned next, and how any further costs are likely to arise.
If you would prefer to make a formal complaint, you can do so through Leonard Solicitors’ complaints procedure. The firm will acknowledge your complaint, investigate it, and provide a clear written response.
If you remain unhappy after the firm’s response, you may be able to escalate the matter to the Legal Ombudsman. Separately, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) can consider concerns about professional conduct. Your options and timescales should be set out in the firm’s complaints information on the website.
Contributor: Sarah Barnard, Managing Partner
These grades are a standard way of grouping fee earners by experience level. In simple terms, Grade A is the most senior/experienced, and Grade D is typically trainee/paralegal level. The hourly rates shown are set out by grade, so you can see how costs may vary depending on who carries out the work.
Where appropriate, work can be allocated efficiently across the team so routine tasks are not necessarily charged at the highest rate, while still ensuring the right level of supervision and oversight for your case.
Contributor: Kerri Allingham, Criminal Law Executive
If you can, have these details ready so the team can advise you quickly and accurately:
- Your next court date (interview date), and which court or police station is dealing with the matter.
- Any documents you have received, such as a charge sheet, bail sheet postal requisition, court notice, or prosecution papers (if served).
- A short timeline of events in your own words, including key dates and any potential witnesses.
- If you are on bail, your bail conditions and any concerns about them (for example, if you need variation).
If you do not have paperwork yet, do not worry. We can still advise you based on what you know, and we will help you identify what is needed next.
Contributor: Sarah Barnard, Managing Partner
Your matter will be handled by a member of Leonard Solicitors’ Criminal Defence team, led by me, Sarah Barnard, a Criminal & Regulatory Defence Solicitor and Managing Partner. I advise clients from the police station stage through to Crown Court proceedings and is accredited under the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Scheme.
Day-to-day work may also be carried out by Kerri Allingham, Criminal Law Executive. Kerri advises and assists clients attending police station interviews, prepares cases for the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court, and liaises with barristers (counsel) where a Crown Court case requires it.
The team will confirm who is responsible for your case at the outset and ensure you know the best point of contact as the matter progresses.
Contributor: Sarah Barnard, Managing Partner
Let’s talk about your case