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Post-trial
Appeals
Appeals against conviction and sentence, in the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal. Advice on prospects, drafting of grounds, and representation at the appeal hearing.
Police station
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Astons Law Chambers attends police stations at any hour. The call comes before the interview.
How attendance works →Available 24/7 for police station support.
- Hourly
- £175–£400 +VAT
- First appearance
- £500–£1,500
- Single day hearing
- £700–£3,500
- Trial brief fee
- £1,500–£3,000+
Indicative only. A written fee is set out in a client-care letter before any instruction is accepted. Full fee schedule →
What Astons Law Chambers does
- Advice on prospects of appealing conviction or sentence.
- Drafting of grounds of appeal.
- Crown Court appeals from the Magistrates’ Court.
- Representation in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).
Process
- A short call to confirm what was decided, on what date, and how much time is left to appeal.
- A written client-care letter setting out scope and fee.
- Review of the transcript, summing-up, and trial papers — these are ordered early.
- Drafting of grounds and representation at the appeal hearing.
Instructing directly
A solicitor is not required for this work.
Astons Law Chambers is authorised under the Bar Standards Board's Public Access scheme to accept instructions directly from members of the public. Suitability is assessed during the first call; where a solicitor is needed, Astons Law Chambers will say so and refer where useful.
How Direct Access works →Common questions
- How long do I have to appeal?
- Time limits are short and start running on the day of the decision. Call before the time runs — grounds can be drafted in time even if the papers are not yet available.
- Can I appeal just the sentence?
- Yes. Sentence-only appeals are common. Grounds depend on the principles applied and the facts. The first call covers whether they are realistic.
- My trial lawyer said an appeal isn’t worth it — is that final?
- No. A second opinion on prospects is part of the work. The first call covers whether the case is worth pursuing.