Motoring offences cost and services

Summary only road traffic offences (such as drunk driving, speeding, driving without insurance) single hearing in the Magistrates Court.

Please note that VAT is charged at the standard rate of 20%.

Guilty plea – local Court fixed fee £595 +VAT; distant Court fixed fee £795 +VAT.

Fee includes:

• 2 hours attendance/preparation:
  1. considering evidence
  2. taking your instructions
  3. providing advice on likely sentence
• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court

The fee does not include:

• instruction of any expert witnesses
• taking statements from any witnesses
• advice and assistance in relation to a special reason hearing
• advice or assistance in relation to any appeal

The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing.

• Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened.
• We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice.
• Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost, of £125 +VAT per hour).
• We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the court.
• We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have.
• We cannot provide a timescale of when 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 anticipate being at court for [e.g. half a day].
• We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
• These principles would also apply to any fixed Fee Magistrates Appearance (including other motoring matters for a local Court).

Not guilty plea - ½ Day Trial £795 +VAT, ¾ day £995 +VAT and Full day £1,295 +VAT

Our fee includes:

• Meet with your solicitor to take instructions.
• We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice.
• Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary.
• We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your trial including the sentencing options available to the court if you are convicted.
• We will conduct the preparatory work for your trial, obtain further instructions from you if necessary.
• We cannot provide a timescale of when your trial will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
• We will attend the first court hearing with you at which your plea is taken and when the court will give directions for trial
• We will attend any subsequent case management hearing
• We will at represent you in court at the trial and conduct the case on your behalf.
• We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Our fee does not include: travel time to the court or travel costs such as petrol and parking.

We may decide to brief a barrister to represent you in court, in which case the choice of barrister will be made in consultation with yourself beforehand. Unless you are informed otherwise (for example, in case of unusual complexity) our fixed pricing includes the fee for representation in court, whether it is by a solicitor or by counsel.
 

Distant Court Representation

If it is necessary to travel to more distant Courts, the Fee will be dependent upon how many hours we will be engaged and Travel Costs. Typically, ¾ of a Day will incur a Fixed Fee Charge of £995 +VAT plus Travel. A Full day would be £1,295 +VAT plus Travel.
We will look at the matter and seek to agree a cost-effective fee based on the circumstances of the case.