Private Clients

Choosing your own solicitor is not something Legal Aid always lets you do.

Private representation gives you direct access to the Principal Solicitor, your choice of who handles your case, and complete discretion, for clients who want to instruct Theodorous on their own terms.

Discuss private instruction Call 0843 636 7687

Why clients choose to pay privately

Legal Aid is means-tested and, for many people, genuinely the right route. But it comes with constraints: limited choice over which firm represents you, a contribution order in some cases, and a process built around eligibility rather than preference. Private clients choose Theodorous for direct, uninterrupted access to the Principal Solicitor throughout the case, complete discretion for matters where reputation is a live concern, and the ability to instruct us regardless of means.

How fees work

Some work is quoted as a fixed fee agreed in advance, particularly single-stage matters such as a police station attendance or a specific hearing, so you know the cost before anything starts. More complex or ongoing matters, such as a contested Crown Court trial or substantial civil litigation, are usually charged at an hourly rate, with a clear estimate given at the outset and updated as the case develops. You will always know which basis applies to your matter before you are asked to commit to anything.

No surprise bills

Scope is agreed before work begins, and you are told in advance if something happens that is likely to change the cost, whether that is an additional hearing, an expert report, or a case that grows in complexity. You should never be finding out what something cost after the fact.

Private and Legal Aid work are not mutually exclusive

Theodorous holds a Legal Aid Agency criminal contract and also acts privately, often for clients who would qualify for Legal Aid but prefer the certainty, speed and choice that comes with private instruction. Which route makes sense depends on the case, the urgency, and what matters most to you, and that is a conversation worth having honestly before you decide.

Civil and commercial work

Civil and commercial matters, from contract disputes to injunctions, are conducted on a private fee basis, since Legal Aid is not generally available for this type of work. Fees are agreed on the same transparent basis as private criminal instructions, fixed where the work allows it, hourly where it does not.

Getting started

An initial conversation costs you nothing and commits you to nothing. Tell us what has happened, and we will give you an honest view of the options, the realistic cost, and whether private instruction is actually the right choice for your situation.

HOW FEES ARE BUILT

The right funding model depends on the work, risk and stage of the case

A useful fee estimate should explain not only the headline figure but what work is included, what can change the estimate and which external costs may arise. We therefore distinguish between fixed-fee work, hourly work, Legal Aid and risk-based civil funding rather than presenting one model as suitable for every matter.

Fixed fees

Fixed fees work best where the scope can be defined in advance: for example a conference, a particular hearing, a letter of representations or a straightforward stage of an undisputed civil matter. The retainer should identify what is included and what would trigger a further quote.

Hourly charging

Hourly charging is often more appropriate where the amount of evidence, number of hearings, opponent's conduct or procedural direction cannot be predicted reliably. Time is recorded and the estimate is reviewed as the matter develops.

Legal Aid

Criminal Legal Aid is a separate statutory funding system. Police-station advice is generally available free of charge, while court representation depends on the applicable eligibility rules. Public funding and private work should not be confused.

CFA, DBA and hybrid funding

Risk-based civil funding may be considered where merits, value, recoverability and proportionality justify it. A conditional-fee agreement, damages-based agreement or hybrid arrangement changes how the solicitor is paid but does not make court fees, opponent costs or disbursements disappear automatically.

What can change a quote?

the volume and condition of the papers, digital evidence or disclosure;
whether new allegations, parties, applications or counterclaims arise;
whether the case becomes defended or proceeds to trial;
the number and length of hearings and conferences;
whether counsel, an expert, process server, tracing agent or other third party is required;
urgent or out-of-hours work and unusually compressed court deadlines; and
enforcement or appeal work that was not part of the original scope.

Before substantive privately funded work begins, the applicable charging basis and scope should be confirmed in writing. Court fees and other disbursements are identified separately where they can be estimated.