Magistrates Court 

Most charges which defendants face can only be dealt with in the Magistrates Courts. As a result the Magistrates Courts are the busiest Courts in the country. The vast majority of the Criminal Advocates appearing in such Courts are Solicitors.

Our Criminal Advocates practice on a daily basis at the West Allerdale & Keswick, Whitehaven and Carlisle Magistrates Courts.

They also regularly attend Cumbria's other Magistrates Courts, and will venture much further afield if required.

If you are on low income, or in receipt of certain benefits, then you may be entitled to Legal Aid to cover the costs of representation. Even if you are not entitled to Legal Aid - either because your income is too great, or because your case is not regarded as serious enough to warrant it, you may be entitled to free representation by a Court Duty Solicitor.

Because all our Criminal Advocates are Duty Solicitors, you will almost always be able to obtain some free legal advice and assistance at Court by one of our Advocates.

If possible, you should try and contact our offices as soon as possible after you know that you have to go to Court, on either 01900 604698, 01946 66699 or 01228 822666

Recent changes in the Criminal Justice System mean that you could be at Court as soon as two days after you are released from the Police Station - so it is important that you get in touch with us as quickly as possible.

We can represent you even if you are not entitled to Legal Aid. We will agree a charging rate for providing our services to you, and keep you informed as to how the costs are adding up - so that you are not hit by an unexpected bill at the end of the case.

We will usually ask you for a sum of money in advance to cover the estimated cost of your case.

If you win your case, then we will usually be able to obtain an order that the costs incurred by you in preparing your defence be met from "Central Funds". Such an order usually follows an acquittal.