MACKENZIE JOHNSON SOLICITORS ASSISTED FUNDING SCHEME
What is the ‘Assisted Funding Scheme’?
We at Mackenzie Johnson Solicitors believe that Legal Aid rates of payment should be available to those clients who,
whilst working, may not fall within the fairly restrictive qualifying conditions for the government-funded Legal Aid scheme.
We felt that all too often, clients were prevented from pursuing matters because of the prohibitive costs involved and
there was a large percentage of our clients who, whilst having a very good case, did not have access to justice because of
the costs involved. It is for this reason that we have set up the Assisted Funding Scheme which offers legal aid payment rates
to those clients who fall within the qualifying criteria for the government-funded Legal Aid Scheme and also a lot of those
clients who do not.
As any Legal Aid lawyer will tell you, Legal Aid is not always free and if you receive or retain property or assets in
excess of £3000 as a result of the work carried out for you, then you will be required to pay back the legal costs of representing
you. It is often the case that where matrimonial assets are being divided between a husband and wife, the sum of £3000 is
quite soon exceeded. Funding your own case can be very expensive, with most legal firms charging on average anything between
£90 to £175 per hour, depending upon the experience of your lawyer.
Our Assisted Funding Scheme offers legal aid rates to working clients whilst providing clients with quality legal advice
carried out by a qualified Solicitor with many years experience of representing clients.
The Assisted Funding Scheme also has the benefit of allowing you to pay your legal costs by way of an agreed monthly
payment under direct debit, designed to enable you to budget your costs and ensure that you are not faced with a large, unexpected
legal bill. You are billed on a monthly basis to enable you to keep up to date with the cost of your matter and to make sure
that it is within your expectation.
Please remember however, that we cannot guarantee the outcome of any litigation and in the possible event you lose your
case, you could be liable for your opponent’s costs. You may also be required to fund any counsel fees or other disbursements
but you will be advised of these potential costs as and when they may arise. So what would I have to pay?
Assisted Funding Scheme Rates:
Writing routine letters £6
Receiving routine letters £3
Routine telephone calls £6
All other preparation work £66 per hour
Travelling and waiting £32 per hour
Attending court with counsel at the trial, hearing or other appointment £36 per hour
Attending court without counsel at the trial hearing or other appointment - £66 per hour
Preparing the bill (where allowable) and completing the detailed assessment - £56.75
Private Rates:
Writing routine letters - £13
Receiving routine letters - £13
Routine telephone calls – £13
All other preparation work - £130 per hour
Travelling and waiting - £75 per hour
Attending court with counsel at the trial, hearing or other appointment - £130 per hour
Attending court without counsel at the trial, hearing or other appointment - £130 per hour
Preparing the bill (where allowable) and completing the detailed assessment - £75 per hour (all prices are exclusive
of VAT)
Do I qualify?
Yes
No
Does my gross income exceed £3000 per month?
( ) ( )
Does my disposable income* exceed £850 per month? ( ) (
)
Do I have savings of over £12,500?
( ) ( )
If you have answered no to all the above questions, then it is likely you will qualify for our Assisted Funding Scheme.
Please note the Assisted Funding Scheme is aimed at those in employment and is not extended to Income Support Claimants
who will generally automatically qualify for Legal Aid under the Government’s Legal Aid Scheme.
