Legal Aid

Police Station Representation - 24/7 | 365 Days A Year

Everyone who is to be interviewed under caution, is entitled to free legal representation regardless of their income. This includes interviews conducted at Police stations, your home address, or by agencies like the DWP, Trading Standards, DVSA, etc.

If, however, you would prefer to be represented by one of our senior lawyers during your interview, this can be arranged, usually on a privately funded basis. 

We offer flexible pricing options: either an agreed hourly rate or a fixed fee determined in advance. Choosing a fixed fee ensures complete transparency, giving you the reassurance of knowing the total cost from the outset, regardless of how long the interview takes.

If you are required to attend an interview or are being interviewed under caution, contact us - 24/7, 365 days a year - before answering any questions.

Court Representation

Only once an individual has been charged with a criminal offence can Legal Aid become available. We are able to provide you with top quality legal representation free of charge at any Magistrates' Court, Crown Court and even the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) if you are eligible for Legal Aid, and you aren't required to make any contributions towards your Legal Aid from your income.

Magistrates' Court Legal Aid

Legal Aid in the Magistrates' Court is subject to a two-stage test and eligibility depends on:

• Merits – assessed through the ‘Interests of Justice’ test, which considers the:
  • risk of you losing your liberty (i.e. is there a real chance of a custodial sentence being imposed if convicted)
  • risk of serious damage to your reputation (e.g. you have no previous convictions)
  • risk of you losing your livelihood
  • inability to understand or participate in the proceedings (due to your age, any mental health problems and / or learning disabilities, language barriers, etc.)
  • involvement of cross-examination of prosecution witnesses
  • complexity and seriousness of your case
  • interests of others (e.g. the complainant and / or any child witnesses) requiring you to be legally represented

• Means – your financial eligibility depends on your income and financial circumstances and is assessed through a means test. You will automatically pass this second part of the two-stage test if you are:
  • under 16 (or under 18 and in full-time education) 
  • in receipt of certain ‘passported’ benefits (e.g. income-based jobseeker’s allowance; universal credit; state pension guarantee credit and income-based employment and support allowance)

If your gross annual income is £12,475 or less, you are automatically eligible for Legal Aid in the Magistrates’ Court without the need for a further disposable income assessment.

Applicant’s whose gross income falls between £12,475 and £22,325 may still be eligible for Legal Aid, but only after a further assessment of your disposable income. 

If your gross income is above £22,325 then you will not be eligible for Legal Aid in the Magistrates’ Court. 

If you do not qualify under the means test but believe you cannot afford private representation, for example due to unavoidable expenses, then you can apply for a hardship review. If successful, this may mean you are eligible for Legal Aid despite initially being deemed ineligible.

Unlike in the Crown Court, you are not required to make any contributions from your income in the Magistrates’ Court, nor is there an assessment of your capital. The test is a simple one - you are either financially eligible, or you are not. 

Crown Court Legal Aid

Legal Aid in the Crown Court is more widely available, and there is no merits test. 

All applicants for Legal Aid in the Crown Court must, however, also undergo a means test, starting with an assessment of your gross annual income. This will determine whether or not you will be required to contribute towards your defence costs.

Who Is Eligible?

• If your gross annual income is £12,475 or less (adjusted for household size), you are automatically eligible for Legal Aid without needing a further disposable income assessment
• There is no upper limit on gross annual income, but the test does assess your disposable income, which determines eligibility and any required contributions

How Is Disposable Annual Income Calculated?

Your disposable annual income is calculated by deducting the following from your gross annual income:

• Tax and National Insurance
• Housing costs, council tax, childcare, and child maintenance 
• A fixed cost of living allowance (currently £5,676 per year for a single person)
• Additional allowances for any partners and children 

Contribution Thresholds and Payments

• If your disposable annual income is £3,398 or less, you qualify for non-contributory Legal Aid
• If your disposable annual income is between £3,399 and £37,500, you will be required to make a contribution towards your legal costs
• Those with a disposable annual income of above £37,500 are generally not eligible for Legal Aid unless they successfully apply for an eligibility review, which considers additional financial pressures and the cost of private representation

Contribution Details

• Contributions are made in monthly instalments, typically over 6 months
• Each payment is 1/12th of 90% of your annual disposable income. For example, if your disposable income is £3,399, your monthly contribution would be £255
• If the first 5 payments are made on time, the 6th payment is waived
• If you are later acquitted, all contributions are refunded with 2% interest
• If you are convicted, you may be required to cover any outstanding legal costs from your capital assets, but only if they exceed £30,000
• If you paid more in contributions than the final total amount of your legal costs, then any excess will be refunded
• The Legal Aid Agency may use enforcement tools such as charging orders against property to recover any unpaid costs
• If you disagree with the contribution amount or believe a mistake has been made, you can request a review of the decision

Is Private Funding a Better Option?

In some cases, clients who qualify for Legal Aid may face having to make high, monthly contributions. Depending on your circumstances, private funding (including fixed fees) can often be a more cost-effective alternative.

Private Funding Options

If you are not eligible for Legal Aid, or prefer not to apply, we offer clear, competitive, and transparent private funding options. These include fixed fees for each stage of your case, giving you certainty on costs from the outset, as well as flexible hourly rates where appropriate. 

The fees that we charge are dependent upon several different factors, including the number and type of offence(s) charged, the complexity and length of the case and the number of hearings required.  

Fixed Fees (Guide)

Police Station

One Attendance - From £500

Magistrates’ Court

Guilty Plea (one appearance) - From £500 - £1,000

Trial (1 day) - From £2,500 - £5,000

Exceptional Hardship / Special Reasons - From £500 - £1,000

Crown Court

Guilty Plea (one appearance) - From £1,500

Trial - From £5,000**

Any Additional Hearings

Mentions | Pre-Trial Reviews | Sentence Hearings - From £500

VAT is charged at 20%

**Note: Our In-House Advocate and Barristers’ fees are separate and will be quoted in advance. They typically include a ‘brief fee’ for preparation and the first day of your trial, plus a daily ‘refresher’ fee for any additional trial days.

All fixed fees include full preparation, representation, waiting time, and travelling and parking expenses, where applicable. 

Hourly Rate Services

For more complex matters, we can provide our services on an hourly rate basis with the guarantee of consistent representation by one of our dedicated lawyers throughout your case. 

Our hourly rates depend upon the type of case and the seniority of the lawyers involved, but we will agree on those fees with you on a case-by-case basis.

Hourly rates are available upon request and are fully transparent with itemised billing and regular cost updates.

Payment Options

We understand legal costs can be challenging. That’s why we offer:

• Flexible payment plans
• Free initial telephone consultations
• Tailored fee quotes based on your case and personal circumstances

Insurance-Backed & Third-Party Funding

You may have Legal Expenses Insurance (LEI) through:

• Home, car, or employment insurance
• Trade unions or professional associations

Even if your insurer has their own ‘panel Solicitors’ you can request to instruct Ryan & Co Solicitors, as we can often accommodate your insurer’s requirements.

If you are unsure, we will be more than happy to help check your cover.

Why Choose Ryan & Co?

At Ryan & Co we provide:

• High-quality representation at competitive rates
• Clear, jargon-free advice
• Fixed fee certainty, with NO hidden charges
• Legal Aid* support where eligible
• Flexible private funding tailored to your needs

Contact Us Today

Let us guide you through your options and ensure you receive the representation you deserve.