The Magistrates' Court

The Magistrates Courts are where all cases begin, and many end. We appear on a daily basis in all our local courts, and believe our presence in the courts increases your chances of obtaining a favourable result.

Our Representation of You

* We will guide you through any prosecution you may face, helping you obtain legal aid, or offering value for money representation where it is needed. 

* We will advise you on whether or not you have a defence to the charge you face, and obtain details of the prosecutions' case in advance of your first appearance in court.

* We will ensure that before you are asked if you accept the allegation against you that you receive proper legal advice and tell us your side of the story.

If you plead not guilty

* We will help you prepare your case for trial. This may involve seeing witnesses on your behalf, and helping them understand the court process they will themselves be involved in if they agree to come forward as witnesses for you.

* We will advise your Witnesses of the Rules which apply to Defence Witnesses and as well as what is involved in appearing in court as a Defence Witness.

* We can separately advise Defence Witnesses and can advise and attend at any interview the police wish to conduct with a Defence Witness.

* We will take your detailed instructions in order to prepare your case for trial

* We will appear at court for you, cross-examining the Prosecution Witnesses as well as calling you or any Defence Witnesses we decide to call to give evidence on your behalf.

* We will make legal submissions to the Judge, and present your defence in our closing speech asking the Court to acquit you.

If you plead guilty

* We will help present your 'mitigation' and explain why and how you came to be involved in the case. We will argue for the most appropriate sentence in your case, and be able to advise you on the relevant Sentencing Guidelines.

* We will help you prepare for the sentencing day, if the Court has asked for a report from Probation, known as a 'Pre-Sentence Report', and ensure that any Character Evidence you have is put before the court. 

Funding

* Legal aid is available, but is means-tested, and strictly limited to those on lower incomes.

* We will offer competitive private client rates, and help prepare and present your case in the best possible light.

* We will either agree a fixed fee or ask you to pay by the hour.

Team Work

* We work as a team. This that although you will have one lawyer who is directly responsible for your and your first point of contact, you will often meet other lawyers during the life of your case.

*All of us share the same aim and ethos: to give the best representation possible.

* At bsb, we pride ourselves on our expertise and dedication to our clients, as can be seen in the positive results we so often achieve for our clients.

Contact Manjit Dogra or Avril Stone for more advice, or call us on 020 7837 3456