Motoring Offences Fees

MOTORING LAW FEES AND COSTS

Drink/Drug driving offence – Guilty Plea – fixed fee £500 plus VAT

Fee includes:

Initial telephone consultation;
Considering evidence;
Taking your instructions;
Providing advice on plea and likely sentence;
Promptly confirming your instructions, our advice and outcome to you in writing;
Attendance and representation at initial hearing at the Magistrates Court, provided the case concludes on the same day;
Advice on appeal.

The fee does not include:

Instruction of any expert witnesses;
Obtaining third party witness statements;
Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing;
Appeal preparation and hearings.

The key stages of your matter will typically be:

Initial telephone consultation with your solicitor to include the giving of preliminary advice;
A meeting with your solicitor at our office if required, at which we will consider initial prosecution evidence, any other evidence, take your instructions and provide advice;
We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing;
We will then prepare for the hearing, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any final queries you have;
We cannot confirm what time your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day;
We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court;
We will discuss the outcome with you. If required we will provide immediate, oral advice on appeal. If written advice on appeal is required this will carry an additional cost.

Please note these fees apply to cases heard in London (within M25) and Essex (Basildon, Chelmsford and Southend) Magistrates Courts. Other courts may incur additional costs and travelling expenses – please contact us for a quote.

Speeding, traffic signal offences, failing to provide driver details offences, no insurance, careless driving – Guilty Plea – fixed fee £500 plus VAT

Fee includes:

Initial telephone consultation;
Considering evidence;
Taking your instructions;
Providing advice on plea and likely sentence;
Promptly confirming your instructions, our advice and outcome to you in writing;
Attendance and representation at initial hearing at the Magistrates Court, provided the case concludes on the same day;
Advice on appeal.

The fee does not include :

Instruction of any expert witnesses;
Preparing and presenting to the court an “exceptional hardship” argument (where the Magistrates will be considering disqualification under the totting up procedures). Such work will incur additional costs. (Usually calculated at the rate of £200 plus VAT per hour but an additional fixed fee or fee-cap may be available);
Taking statements from any witnesses;
Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing;
Written advice in relation to any appeal;
Appeal preparation and hearings.

The key stages of your matter will typically be:

Initial telephone consultation with your solicitor to include the giving of preliminary advice;
A meeting with your solicitor at our office if required, at which we will consider the prosecution evidence, any other evidence, take your instructions and provide advice;
We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing;
We will then prepare for the hearing, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any final queries you may have;
We cannot confirm what time your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day;
We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court;
We will discuss the outcome with you. If required we will provide immediate, oral advice on appeal. If written advice on appeal is required this will carry an additional cost.

Motoring Offences in the Magistrates Court only

Not Guilty plea

In not guilty plea cases requiring a trial our fees are calculated on an hourly rate basis or, subject to our discretion, a fixed fee may be offered (please call for details). The hourly rate is usually £200 plus VAT plus any disbursements (mileage, expert witness fees etc.) We estimate that a case requiring a half day trial before the Magistrates Court will require, in total 8-10 hours of work. Please note that this is an estimate, very simple cases may take less time and more complex cases are likely to take longer.

Our fees include:

Initial telephone consultation;
Initial attendance at one of our offices;
Considering evidence;
Taking your instructions;
Promptly confirming your instructions, our advice and outcome to you in writing;
Providing advice on plea and likely sentence;
Taking a proof of evidence from you;
Obtaining details of witnesses and attempting to contact those witnesses;
Taking statements from defence witnesses;
Complying with Criminal Procedure Rules;
Corresponding with the court and the prosecution;
Answering your questions throughout proceedings;
Instructing expert witnesses where required;
Preparing case fully for trial including preparing for cross examination of prosecution witnesses, draft closing argument etc;
Advising and representing you at initial hearing and any subsequent hearings including the trial and any sentencing hearing;
Advice on appeal.

The fee does not include:

Preparing and presenting to the court an “exceptional hardship” argument (where the Magistrates will be considering disqualification under the totting up procedures). Such work will incur additional costs;
Written advice in relation to any appeal;
Appeal preparation and hearings.

The key stages of your matter will typically be:

Initial telephone consultation with your solicitor to include the giving of preliminary advice;
A meeting with your solicitor at our office if required, at which we will consider the prosecution evidence, any other evidence, take your instructions and provide advice;
First hearing at court when not guilty plea is entered and case adjourned for approximately 8 weeks;
Trial preparation;
The trial and any sentencing hearing.