Appearances at Bromley Magistrates Court

Frequently asked questions about Bromley Magistrates’ Court

What happens at a first appearance in court?

During your first appearance at Bromley Magistrates’ Court, you will be informed about the charges against you, and you will then be given the opportunity to state whether you wish to plead guilty or not guilty.

If you enter a guilty plea, the Magistrates may proceed to sentencing, or they will adjourn the case in order to gain time to gather more information. If you plead not guilty, your case will be scheduled for trial or a case management hearing.

If you instruct our expert criminal defence solicitors, we will ensure you are fully prepared for your first hearing at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.

We will advise you on your options and ensure that you are supported throughout with high-quality representation.

Can solicitors represent people at Bromley Magistrates’ Court?

Our solicitors have extensive experience supporting clients at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.

Our team are specialist legal professionals with 45 years of experience representing clients accused of criminal offences, both in Bromley specifically and the wider London area.

We will provide advice on your best options, and offer exceptional legal representation in court, in order to  help you secure a fair outcome.

If eligible, you may also receive legal aid to cover the costs of legal representation at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.

How much do lawyers charge for a court appearance?

There are two main options for funding court representation: legal aid or private funding.

If your case is being heard at a Magistrates’ Court, you may be eligible to apply for a Representation Order, commonly known as legal aid, which can help cover some, or all of your defence costs.

Eligibility for legal aid is determined by passing both a means test to assess your financial situation and a merit test, which evaluates the specifics of your case.

If you do not qualify for legal aid, you can fund your case privately. If you choose to instruct us privately, we will offer clear and competitive pricing tailored to your case.

The cost of a Bromley Magistrates’ Court appearance will depend on factors such as the complexity of the matter and the amount of legal preparation required.

Am I entitled to legal representation in court?

It is advisable to obtain legal guidance and representation if you are due to attend a court hearing in Bromley, whether this is private or through legal aid.

Specialist legal advice can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case, and can be the difference between acquittal and conviction. We also have a strong track record of mitigating penalties for our clients.

If you cannot afford a solicitor, you may qualify for legal aid to cover the cost of an appearance at Bromley Magistrate’s Court.

What should you do when you arrive at Bromley Magistrates’ Court for your hearing?

When you instruct a solicitor at JD Spicer Zeb, you’ll have the chance to review the prosecution’s evidence with us before your court appearance.

We’ll arrange to meet with you either at Bromley Magistrates’ Court or beforehand, depending on the specifics of your case, to ensure that you are fully prepared.

To avoid unnecessary stress on the day of your hearing, we advise arriving at least 30 minutes early. This allows sufficient time to complete security checks and locate your courtroom, ensuring everything is in place before your hearing begins.

We will be on hand to support you throughout the process and help to secure a fair outcome.