About MJP Solicitors

What do MJP solicitors charge?

The policy

MJP solicitors make NO CHARGE unless expressly agreed with you in advance.

Interviews and Advice

Initial Interview at the office - we make no charge for initial diagnostic advice up to one hour. Thereafter, usually at the charging rate.

At police station, we claim fees for attendance at police station under Legal Services Commission contract (´Legal Aid´). We are not permitted to charge additionally.

For interviews with other agencies, we would agree any fee payable in advance either on an hourly rate or fixed fee for the service (see charging rate) or under MJP PACE assist (see A-Z)

Criminal Court Cases

The principle

It is our duty to find out whether you would be entitled to ´Legal Aid´ under our LSC contract and if you are entitled to a ´representation order´ then you can be required to contribute to the costs of your defence if the court finds that you have the means to pay and have contributed to the case being brought or have lost the case.

Preparation and Attendance work

Most of the work which will done takes place in preparation of the evidence and working with clients on their response to the prosecution case and preparing defence evidence. Preparation is the key to a successful defence and often good preparation can result in case being dropped, either because there is no case to answer or because the proceedings are an abuse of process.

Generally, if you do not have the means, are in receipt of means tested benefits or have an income which is taken up with mortgage or debt repayments, you will pass the financial test for ´Legal Aid´. If the case involves a potential damage to your reputation or a potential sentence of imprisonment, you will satisfy the ´interests of justice´ test´

Charging Rates

We generally charge only that amount that would be payable under a contract to Legal Services commission at an hourly rate basis.

These vary with the complexity of the case and a guide would be –
Partners - £95.00 - £195.00 per hour
Solicitors - £75.00 - £125.00 .00per hour
Legal Executives - £55 - £85.00 per hour
Legal Assistance - £45.00 - £65.00 per hour.

Quotations

We provide written quotations based on the estimated time the case will involve sometimes in stages and the rate for the solicitor and other personnel involved.