Facing a criminal charge is a daunting experience, and the financial stress of legal fees only adds to the burden. However, for those who are acquitted or have their charges dismissed, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. You may have a strong claim to recover your legal costs from the NSW Police or the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) if their prosecution of your case was unreasonable.
At Pannu Lawyers, we have a proven track record of securing significant cost orders for our clients, demonstrating our commitment to not only winning a case but also ensuring the client is compensated for the hardship caused by an unjust prosecution. Our success is a testament to our meticulous approach and our ability to hold prosecuting authorities accountable.
The investigation into the alleged offence was conducted in an unreasonable or improper manner;
The proceedings were initiated without reasonable cause or in bad faith, or were conducted by the prosecutor in an improper manner;
The prosecutor reasonably failed to investigate (or to investigate properly) any relevant matter; or
Because of other exceptional circumstances relating to the conduct of the proceedings by the prosecutor, it is just and reasonable to award costs in favour of the Applicant
Our Recent Successes
Our firm has consistently and successfully applied for costs on behalf of our clients across various jurisdictions in NSW. These cases underscore our ability to navigate the complexities of costs applications and secure positive financial outcomes for those we represent.
Hornsby Local Court: In two separate matters, the Hornsby Local Court ordered the police to pay $4,500 and $5,000 in legal costs to our clients. These cases highlight our success in demonstrating unreasonable police conduct even in seemingly straightforward local court matters.
Liverpool and Blacktown Local Courts: We secured two more significant cost orders in these busy courts. The Liverpool Local Court ordered the police to pay $7,700, while the Blacktown Local Court ordered them to pay $7,500. These outcomes show our consistent ability to argue successfully for costs based on the police’s flawed actions.
Burwood Local Court: In two separate matters, the Burwood Local Court ordered the police to pay $4,000 and $1,000 in legal costs. The varying amounts reflect the complexity of each case, but both are a clear victory for the client who was unjustly charged.
NSW District Court: In a more serious matter, the District Court ordered the DPP to pay our client $33,257. This demonstrates our expertise in handling more complex cases and securing substantial cost orders in higher courts, where legal fees are significantly higher.
Parramatta District Court: In another major victory, our client was granted a costs certificate by the Parramatta District Court, with an estimated recovery of $60,000. The granting of a costs certificate is a formal acknowledgement by the court that the defendant is entitled to compensation. This particular outcome reflects the time, effort, and resources required to prepare for a serious District Court trial.
These outcomes are not just numbers; they represent justice for our clients. They are a clear message to prosecuting authorities that they will be held financially accountable for acting improperly or without reasonable cause. At Pannu Lawyers, we believe that an acquittal is only part of the battle. Recovering your costs is the final step in ensuring you are made whole after an unfair ordeal.
