Legal fees

[badhorsey]

I am currently involved in a legal battle with the council over housing. Due to the fact that I don't qualify for legal aid, I have had to engage a solicitor privately.

However, it looks like it may go to trial and the projected costs could be in excess of �13000, which I don't have! If I lose, what will my situation be? Would I be able to agree a repayment schedule?

Alternatively, is there any funding available for people who fall into the fairly wide bracket of not qualifying for legal aid, but who don't happen to have five-figure sums of money knocking around?

Thanks in advance...

[jedimistress]

Sorry to hear that Badhorsey. I also fell foul of the council recently and in same position. Had no entitlement to Legal Aid but not prepared or able to pay �200 per hour. In the end I represented myself which was a complete nightmare and I subsequently lost, mainly due to my inability to mount a coherent defence (getting out a coherent sentence was hard enough. I was wracked with nerves with all the council staff sitting behind me and magistrates staring at me like I was guilty) on the day.

I then discovered too late, that my Buildings Insurance had legal cover built in so after all those months of stress and planning, then falling flat on my face could have been avoided.

My advice is to check your house insurance policy to see if you have Legal Cover. You will have to pay the council court costs too if you lose, but the magistrates often do not award the full costs to the council. Keep us updated.

[badhorsey]

Hi Jedimistress, I'm so sorry to hear that - what an absolute nightmare. I have a solicitor at the moment and believe me it makes a difference - he's put forward things that I would never have thought of in a million years.

Sadly though, I do not have insurance of any sort!

[Mamjet]

Someone who represents himself has a fool for a client. See jedimistress for details.

[jedimistress]

Yes Mamjet, with hindsight and no court experience, I definately would have had representation. But not from solicitor, just somone who could speak on my behalf in such daunting circumstances.

I would not describe myself as a fool, although I have felt great dissapointment every day since it happened. With myself and for everyone who was supporting me.

[buildersmate]

Ah, the famous Dog Control Order case in Exeter.