Crime – Public Access
Our barristers are able to offer their services to members of the public who are defendants in criminal proceedings where they do not qualify for Legal Aid.
The area where our barristers are most commonly instructed by members of the public is motoring offences. Our barristers can advise and represent you in court if you are charged with a ‘summary only’ motoring offence. This is a motoring offence which can only be heard in the Magistrates’ Court; for example, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, careless driving, failing to stop or report and speeding.
Timescales
Timescales for our services may vary depending on factors such as barrister availability, the complexity of your case and the need for additional documents. As a guide, written advice on your case will be available within two to four weeks where possible but may be available sooner if there is an urgent need. You may also need representation at short notice. If so, please contact the Crime clerk, Josh Warren, and our barristers will aim to represent you where possible.
Fees
We may charge fixed fees, which means that we will charge you a set amount of money for the work. Below we provide estimates based on the ranges of fixed fees for barristers in Colleton Chambers. All fees include VAT (where applicable).
If we charge fixed fees, these may vary depending on your needs – for example, your fees may be towards the higher end of the range if you need a more experienced barrister and/or you have a complex case. If you have a particularly complex case, your fees may also be higher than the estimates below. There are also likely to be additional costs of 45 pence per mile for travel to courts beyond Devon and overnight subsistence based on available accommodation (to be agreed with you in advance).
| Stage of Case | Range of Fixed Fees (ESTIMATES ONLY) |
|---|---|
| Written advice on your case | £900 – 6,000 |
| Preparation of case, including meetings with you and assistance with drafting of court documents | £900 – 6,000 |
| Guilty pleas | £900 – 7,500 |
| First Appearance (pre-trial court appearance) | £1200 – 7,500 |
| First day of Trial | £3,000 – 15,000 |
| Court appearances per day, after the first day of trial | £1,500 – 6,000 |
Contact Us
All information is correct as of February 2024, but fees are estimates only. For a quotation please contact the Criminal clerk, Josh Warren, on 01392 274898 or email publicaccess@colletonchambers.co.uk
Page reviewed February 2025
