Motoring Offence Fees

Our fees will either be agreed with you as a fixed sum at the start of your case or based on how much time it takes to deal with your case.

Hourly rate work

If we charge you based on an hourly rate, please note that our standard hourly rates plus VAT at 20% for one of our solicitors. Please click here to see our hourly rates.

Fixed fee work

Ordinarily however, we charge for summary only motoring offences on a fixed fee basis. In terms of fixed fees, we can normally offer fixed fees in simple cases involving the following motoring offences to which you plead guilty to:

• drink driving: starting from £750 plus VAT at 20%;
• speeding: starting from £750 plus VAT at 20%;
• using a mobile phone while driving: starting from £750 plus VAT at 20%;
• exceptional hardship arguments or special reasons: starting from £1500 plus VAT at 20%;

Legal aid is not normally available for these types of cases and so clients typically pay these fees themselves. If you are likely to be eligible for legal aid funding we shall guide you accordingly.

Fixed fee work

Drink driving offence, guilty plea – fixed fee £1,440.00 (including VAT charged at 20%)

Initial consultation fee £450 + VAT

Fee includes:

• 2 hours attendance/preparation:
  • considering evidence
  • taking your instructions
  • providing advice on likely sentence

Court attendance

If guilty plea – £750 + VAT

The fee does not include:

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

The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you have been advised to enter a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing and have had a consultation with your solicitor

• Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost, to be agreed).
• 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 half a day.
• We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
• If through no fault of ours the court hearing is adjourned, (lack of court time, lack of interpreter or adjourn for reports) the following hearing will attract additional costs to be agreed

The costs set out above do not include:

• any fines or costs you become liable for as a result of the offence committed;
• appeal costs;
• the cost of taking witness statements, which are charged at an additional cost;
• obtaining expert witness evidence if required.

The fee above is intended to cover all of the key stages of a summary motoring offence case:

• Meeting with you and finding out what happened;
• Advice on your case;
• Considering initial disclosure and evidence in your case;
• If necessary, taking witness statements (which carry an additional cost)
• Explaining the procedure and next steps to you;
• Attending Court with you (up to half-day);
• Helping you understand the outcome of the case and your options for an appeal if appropriate (appeal costs are separate).

It would not normally be necessary to undertake other work or incur costs other than those described above. However, we would be very happy to provide you with a more tailored quote for all stages of your particular case once we know about your specific circumstances.

Generally speaking, cases of this nature are not made up of a lot of different stages and are concluded on the day of your Magistrates Court hearing. The Magistrates Court date is normally set by the Police after your arrest or in the Court summons so hopefully, you are aware of when your case will be concluded. If we are working together and you are not sure of your Court date please just ask us and we would be very happy to confirm.

Your case will be handled by a trusted member of our experienced team We have a number of qualified lawyers in the team as well as experienced paralegals specialised in this area of law. Once we know who will be handling your case for you we will introduce you to them and provide you with full details of their background and qualifications.

• Imogen Cox, Senior Defence Consultant Solicitor & Higher Court Advocate, will carry out the work.