Police Station Attendance
If you are interviewed by the police, whether at the police station or elsewhere, whether under arrest or as a volunteer, you need to have a solicitor present. Reeves & Co will provide a lawyer free of charge in all cases, regardless of income or financial status, and one of our team can advise you in person, or in certain circumstances on the telephone.
Non-police agencies, such as the RSPCA or Department for Work and Pensions (who deal with benefit fraud), are not funded by this scheme. You may be eligible for advice and assistance and we will assess your circumstances to see if you qualify for funding or we can arrange for private representation. We offer fixed fees for all our services.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid is a means tested service administered through the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). If granted, the cost of your legal representation will be free, however in certain circumstances, subject to your means, you may need to pay a contribution towards your case. Your case must be in the interest of justice for you to qualify. We will apply to the LAA on your behalf, free of charge.
At Magistrates Court
You automatically get legal aid after applying if you’re:
Under 18 or receive:Income Support (IS)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Universal Credit (UC)
State Pension Guarantee Credit
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you are in employment we will require proof of you (and and your partner’s) means including:
Up-to-date wage slips for the last 3 months
Up-to-date bank statements for the last 3 months
Details of any outgoings you may have, i.e. utility bills, debts, child support payments
If Legal Aid is Refused
If you are not financially eligible for legal aid or your case does not meet the interests of justice criteria, then we can provide a tailor-made fixed fee quote for the entirety of your case, from initial advice to representation at court. We offer all preliminary advice on your case and funding free of charge, whether in person or on the telephone.
If you are acquitted as a privately paying client you may be entitled to recover some or all of your legal costs.