At Sydney Criminal Lawyers®, we want you to have the highest quality legal representation while at the same time knowing exactly how much your case will cost.
That’s why we were the first Australian criminal law firm to publish ‘lump sum fees’, back in 2004.
We offer competitive fixed fees for a range of cases and services.
Click on a link below to find out how much your case will cost:
1. 'Fixed Fees for Guilty Pleas'™ - If you wish to plead 'guilty' in the Local Court
All work up to and including a full day in court*, from:
- Courts in Sydney City and Metropolitan Area: $1500 + GST
- Courts in Other NSW Cities (Gosford, Newcastle, Wollongong etc): $1800 + GST
- Courts in NSW Country Areas: $2000 + GST and travel disbursements if required
2. Fixed Fees for Defended Local Court Hearings - If you wish to plead 'not guilty' and defend the case
Fixed fees are offered for local court defended hearings, from:
- Sydney City and Metropolitan Area: $5,000 + GST
- Courts in Other NSW Cities (Gosford, Newcastle, Wollongong etc): $5,500 + GST
- Court in NSW Country Areas: $6000 + GST and travel disbursements if required
The fixed fee is for up to two court dates, comprising the first court date (called a ‘mention’), all conferences and preparations, and the hearing date. Additional fees apply if there are further court dates, which will be explained during the first conference and contained in the cost agreement.
Fixed fees can also be offered in more complex cases.
Your Lawyer will be able to advise you of the applicable ‘fixed fee’ during your free first consultation.
3. 'Severity Appeals' - Appeals to the District Court because the Local Court penalty was too harsh
Drafting and filing appeal (where necessary), and all work up to and including full day Appeal Hearing, from:
- Courts in Sydney City and Metropolitan Area: $2000 + GST
- Courts in Other NSW Cities (Gosford, Newcastle, Wollongong etc): $2500 + GST
- Courts in NSW Country Areas: $3000 + GST and travel disbursements if required
IF the Local Court Sentence was Full Time Imprisonment, from:
- Courts in Sydney City and Metropolitan Area: $4000 + GST
- Courts in Other NSW Cities (Gosford, Newcastle, Wollongong etc): $4500 + GST
- Courts in NSW Country Areas: $5000 + GST and travel disbursements if required
4. Driver Licence Appeals - Appeals against Penalty or Suspension Notices
All work up to and including a full day in court*, from:
- Sydney City and Metropolitan Area: $1500 + GST & Local Court Filing Fee (currently $97)
5. Bail Applications in the Local or District Court
All work up to and including a full day in court, from:
- Courts in Sydney City and Metropolitan Area: $2000 + GST
- Courts in Other NSW Cities (Gosford, Newcastle, Wollongong etc): $2200 + GST
- Courts in NSW Country Areas: $2500 + GST and travel disbursements if required
6. Bail Applications in the Supreme Court
All preparations including prison visit (if necessary), conferences, preparing any necessary affidavits, initial court ‘callover’ date (if required), preparing and filing notice of readiness to proceed, and up to a full court hearing date, from:
7. Mental Health Applications - to have your case dismissed due to mental health
We may be able to have your charges dismissed on the basis that you suffer from a ‘mental condition’ such as depression, anxiety etc.
All work including briefing psychiatrist/psychologist, initial court date, all preparations and court hearing date, from:
- Sydney City and All Suburbs: $4000 + GST
- Outside Sydney: $5000 + GST and travel disbursements if required
Note that some applications are more complex and your lawyer will be able to quote you a fixed fee for your particular case.
8. Prison Conferences - We Travel to All NSW Correctional Centres
- Sydney Metropolitan Area (eg Silverwater MRRC, Parklea, Long Bay, Mulawa etc): $600 + GST
- Within 300km of Sydney (eg Goulburn, Lithgow, John Maroney, Junee etc): $700 + GST
- Other NSW Prisons: $1000 + GST and travel disbursements if required
9. Attending Police Stations
- All Police Stations in Sydney (all suburbs): $600 + GST
- Outside Sydney: $800 + GST and travel disbursements if required
10. Applications to Quash Habitual Offender Declarations
All work up to and including a full day in court*, from:
- Sydney City and Metropolitan Area: $1500 + GST & Local Court Filing Fee (currently $87)
11. Dangerous Dog Cases
. Conference to Advise
- Providing expert legal advice at offices or by telephone: $330 + GST
2. Letter of Introduction to Council
- Drafting / sending letter of introduction to Council and follow-up: $200 + GST
3. Written Objection to Proposed Dangerous Dog Declaration
- Drafting / submitting formal ‘letter of objection’ to Council: $1000 + GST
4. Appeal Against Dangerous Dog Declaration
All work up to and including Full Day in Court; including:
- Drafting & Filing Appeal Document in Court; then
- Drafting ‘Control Orders’; then
- Negotiating Control Orders with the relevant Council, and
- All other work including one Court Date:
$2000 + GST & Local Court Filing Fee (currently $95), plus travel disbursements for regional areas
5. ‘Guilty Plea’ for Dog Attack Prosecution (eg s16 Companion Animals Act)*
All work up to and including one day in Court, from:
- Courts in Sydney City and Metropolitan Area: $1500 + GST
- Courts in Other NSW Cities (Gosford, Newcastle, Wollongong etc): $1600 + GST
- Courts in NSW Country Areas: $2000 + GST and travel disbursements if required
* Most cases can be completed on the first court date. However, if the matter goes beyond the first court date, there is an additional fee of $750 + GST for all work up to and including the next court date in Sydney City and Metropolitan Courts. The fee may be greater for cities outside Sydney and NSW Country Areas, taking into account travel time and expenses.
Watch our Video on What is the SCL approach to costs? Visit this page for further information.
Our range of lump sum fees for criminal and traffic cases and services. Visit this page for further information on fixed fees.