Motoring Offence Fees

Our Charges

Our overall fees vary depending upon how complex your case is and what you would like us to do. For a free quote specifically tailored to your circumstances, please email info@greystonesolicitors.co.uk or call us on 01582 343453. We would be more than happy to discuss your case.

To give you an idea of how we charge and to comply with the SRA price transparency rules, we have set out details of our typical charges below.

using a phone and driving

Our charges are made up of:

  1. our fees for the legal work; and
  2. ‘disbursements’ – disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to other people, such as fees for bailiffs. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Where VAT is referred to below please note that this will be charged at the applicable rate, which is currently 20%.

Our 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

Our fixed fees include:

  • Discussing what happened with you;
  • Reviewing the evidence in the case;
  • Giving you advice on the possible outcomes in your case;
  • Giving you advice on how to best mitigate your circumstances;
  • Attending and representing you at one hearing at a Magistrates Court local to us. This would be one of our staff members – not by an external barrister, sometimes known as ‘Counsel’.

It won’t always be possible to help people in drink driving cases for this fee as some cases are more complicated. For example, this fee does not include additional work which might be needed in more complicated or contested cases such as:

 

  • The cost of instructing an expert witness;
  • Taking statements from witnesses;
  • Advising on or assisting with a ‘special reasons’ hearing;
  • Advising or assisting with any appeal.
If you contact us via email at info@greystonesolicitors.co.uk or call us on 01582 343453 we can you give you a quote for your particular case.

Other costs to consider

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.

Key stages of your case

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.

How long will my case take?

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.

Who will be carrying out the work:

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.

Get in touch with a Solicitor today!

No matter what legal issues you are facing, you wont have to face them alone. Get in touch with our solicitors today and find out how we can help you. Call 01582 343 453 to speak to a member of our team.