Fees - How LawyerHelp Charges

• Criminal / Traffic Matters
• Written Submissions
• Complicated Cases (Fee by Negotiation)
• Demerit Points/Work or Limited Licence
• Instructing Solicitor

Affordable 'Pay as You Go' Legal Fees

• An Phone/Office Appointment costs only $230 (incl GST)

• A Court appearance at Auckland District Court costs only $230 (incl GST)

• A Court appearance at a District Court other than the Auckland District Court costs $287 (incl GST)

• Diversion Appeal Submissions $690 plus $575 Success if Appeal allowed 
  
  
• 3rd drink drive Sentencing Submissions $1725 (incl GST) 4 easy instalments of $431.25
  
  
• 4th, 5th, or 6th drink drive Sentencing Submissions $2875 (incl GST) 5 easy instalments of $575
  
  
• Section 94 Community Work in lieu of Disqualification $1725 (incl GST)  Can be paid in 3 instalments Plus $287 Success Fee
  
  
• Section 106 Discharge without Conviction $2875 (incl GST) 5 easy instalments of $575 plus wrap up satisfaction fee of $1150
  
  
• Work/Limited Licence $920 plus court filing fee $165 or $260 filing fee if for Demerits plus $65 court sealing fee when you pick up your court order

• Wrap Up/Satisfaction Fee $1150/$575/$287 as per letter of understanding

• Defended Drink Drive Case (Greater Auckland)
  • First appointment $230 (incl GST),
  • Preparation of chronology $230 (incl GST),
  • File preparation for defended hearing $230 (incl GST),
  • Defended hearing Auckland District Court $1725 (incl GST).

Complicated Cases (Fee by Negotiation)

If your case is a complicated factual case or your instructions make it a complicated case then you and I will negotiate an agreed fee once I have obtained full police disclosure and have had an opportunity to grasp the complexities of your case. Only once this is done can I realistically assess the likely time involved and the appropriate fee.

Work/Limited Licence Fee (demerits or drink-drive) Greater Auckland

$920 (incl GST) if 1st Disqualification Auckland District Court otherwise $920 plus filing fee $165 (Court ordered suspension) or $265 plus $65 court sealing fee (Demerit Suspension) before the application is filed with police). 

A minimum payment of $230 (by EFTPOS, credit card, online bank transfer or gold nugget) is required at your first (in person) interview. At this time a draft of your personal affidavit and your employer or accountant's affidavit will have been prepared.

A minimum payment of $230 (by credit card on phone or online bank transfer) is required to be paid within 24 hours of your phone interview if outside of Greater Auckland. At this time a draft of your personal affidavit and your employer or accountant's affidavit will have been prepared.

All Fees must be paid 48 hours before final court hearing. 

Opposed limited licence hearing fee of $460 plus $920 is applicable if police oppose your application due to your driving history but that you wish to continue with your application before the court. [Rare]

A Filing Fee of $265 is required to be paid in relation to a Demerit suspension application. A Filing Fee of $165.00 is required to be paid for a Drink-drive application or other court-ordered suspensions.

Fees may be paid by cash, EFTPOS, credit card, debit card, gold nugget or online bank transfer or by gold nugget! (you must also have a sense of humour to be one of our client!)

Fees may be paid online to the credit of Barrister Melanie Coxon

Work/Limited Licence Fee (demerits or drink-drive) At any court NZ other than Greater Auckland

My fee to prepare your limited licence application NZ Wide, deal with the police and obtain there consent to your application as well as obtain you a court hearing date is $920 plus the filing fee of $165 (if court ordered disqualification) and $265 (court filing fee if demerit suspension) plus a $65 sealing fee when you pick up your order at the court house. Normally your presence can be excused and the order granted in judge's chambers if the police do not oppose the application. If the police oppose your application and a defended hearing is required before a judge there will be a further $575 fee (this rarely occurs)

You can obtain your Demerit Suspension notice by contacting the Land Transport on 0800 822 422 to arrange service of your notice or email them info@nzta.govt.nz to arrange service. Alternatively, you can visit your local police station (Auckland Central is best if you reside in Greater Auckland) and request a Section 90 notice (notice of driver licence suspension and disqualification for excess demerit points from the Senior Sergeant at the counter).

Instructing Solicitor

Barristers' clients need to be referred to them by a solicitor (known as the Instructing Solicitor). If you do not have your own solicitor or do not wish to use him or her, I can arrange one for you at no extra cost.