Do you represent people at court?

The short answer

I do represent people at court. Court work is not very profitable under legal aid, so I tend to cover court when others do not: weekends, bank holidays and Christmas.

I do not tend to cover court during the week. In my view, about £100 is not fair pay for a day's work. That is my own view of what a day can pay — not a table of official court fees.

The work I choose

I am in the fortunate position that I can now choose the work I enjoy, which is mainly police station work and voluntary interviews.

I worked day to day in the magistrates' court for 16 years, in the Crown Court for 5 years, and at police stations for over 30 years. I still have higher rights of audience as a Higher Court Advocate, and I use them when that is appropriate.

Police station advice is still the core of this site. If you or someone close to you is held at a station, or invited to a voluntary interview, that is the work I want to do.

What this means if you are my client

Advice at the police station is free under legal aid if you ask. That is not the same as a free lawyer at court. Court legal aid is separate, and it is means tested in the magistrates' court. It is not automatic.

If I am not covering your court hearing, I can still explain what happens next and help arrange or recommend representation. The solicitor who helped at the station is not always the advocate who stands up in court the next day, and that is not a failing — it is how the work is split.

If you want a private court case, ask me. I sometimes take those, but only when they are financially worthwhile. When I do, I still use my higher rights of audience where that fits the case.

Weekends, bank holidays and Christmas

Courts still sit when other people would rather be at home. That is when I tend to cover court: weekends, bank holidays and Christmas, when it is harder to find someone else.

If your hearing falls on one of those days, ask. If it is a weekday legal aid listing, I will usually point you to someone else rather than pretend I can be in two places.

How to ask

Use the contact pathways on this site. Tell me the court, the date if you have it, and whether this is a legal aid case or a private enquiry. Do not send me your case story in an open message.

Frequently asked questions