Retainer Agreement

The total cost you will incur for Crystal & Associates representation will depend upon a number of factors including the complexity of your criminal case, the lawyer(s) engaged and the anticipated time involved. At Crystal & Associates, fees will be determined further to an initial meeting, at no cost, where we will discuss your criminal case. Crystal & Associates normally bill on a block-fee basis, not hourly. By billing in block-fees, uncertainties about the total cost for each step of the proceedings are greatly reduced. The “Retainer Agreement” represents the contract between yourself and our Crystal & Associates lawyers. This agreement also outlines in writing the cost for each specific service.

Financing

The initial retainer fee is expected to be paid in full to retain Crystal & Associates representation and services. At Crystal & Associates, we accept the following methods of payment:

• Cash
• Cheque
• Interac
• Visa
• PayPal (online)

If you are unable to provide us with the full amount, a payment plan can be arranged for most cases. Financing will vary depending on your specific case and your personal financial circumstances.

PayPal           

At Crystal & Associates, we offer PayPal service as a method of payment. This user-friendly service allows payment to be made securely via the comfort of your home or office. PayPal accepts most debit and credit cards without exposing your account information.

Legal Aid

If you cannot afford to retain Crystal & Associates services privately, you can apply for a certificate at Legal Aid Ontario. We accept certificates for most criminal offenses.

Please refer to the following link for more information on eligibility requirements or contact Legal Aid Ontario at 1-800-668-8258 toll-free:

http://www.legalaid.on.ca/en/getting/type_criminal.asp