Motoring offences - fees

Motoring offence work is typically done on a set cost basis. The following information is offered to help you understand how we determine our fees. Prices are offered as an indication of the anticipated cost of a transaction or case and should not be interpreted as an absolute quote.

You must still contact us for a precise quote that takes into consideration the specifics of your transaction or case. This price information applies only to summary driving offences under Part I of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and s89 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Cases involving a Guilty Plea and one court appearance:

Fees: £300.00
VAT: £60.00
Disbursements: £0.00
–
Total: £360.00

The essential stages of your case are predicated on the assumption that you have entered or will enter a guilty plea and have a hearing date.

• Speak with your solicitor to provide instructions on what occurred.
• We will review the first disclosure as well as any additional material and provide guidance.
• We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, as well as the court’s sentence alternatives.
• We will complete any additional preparation work, collect additional instructions from you if necessary, and respond to any follow-up questions you may have.
• We cannot provide an exact time for your hearing because it is depends on the court’s schedule on that particular day and how busy the court is.
• We will attend court on the day of the hearing and speak with you before the case is called.
• We expect to be in court for no more than half a day, and we will discuss the conclusion with you. If extensive advice is necessary on an appeal, there will be an extra charge.

Our price includes:

• Up to 2 hours of attendance/preparation
• Consideration of evidence
• Taking your instructions
• Advice on likely punishment
• Attendance and representation at a single Magistrates Court hearing.

The cost does not include:

• Expert witness instruction;
• Witness statements;
• Advice and assistance with a ‘special reasons’ or ‘mitigating circumstances’ hearing
• Advice and support with conducting any appeal.

For more complicated matters, such as several offences or an argument to avoid a penalty points disqualification (‘mitigating circumstances’)

Fees: £500.00
VAT: £100.00
Disbursements: £0.00
–
Total: £600.00

The essential stages of your case are predicated on the assumption that you have entered or will enter a guilty plea and have a hearing date.

• Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions regarding what occurred.
• We will review the first disclosure as well as any additional material and provide guidance.
• Arranging for any necessary witness statements (at an additional fee of £100.00 per hour).
• We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, as well as the court’s sentence alternatives.
• We will complete any additional preparation work, collect additional instructions from you if necessary, and respond to any follow-up questions you may have.
• We cannot provide an exact time for your hearing because it is dependent on the court’s schedule for that day and how busy the court is.
• We will attend court on the day of the hearing and speak with you before the case is called. • We expect to be in court for no more than half a day, and we will discuss the conclusion with you. If extensive advice is necessary on an appeal, there will be an extra charge.

Our price includes:

• Up to 3 hours of attendance/preparation
• Evaluating evidence
• Taking your instructions
• Advice and support in respect to a special reasons hearing on’mitigating circumstances’
• Offering advise on likely sentence
  Attendance and representation at no more than two hearings at the Magistrates Court

The cost does not include:

• Expert witness instruction;
• Taking witness statements; or
• Advice or aid in pursuing any appeal.
• Pleas of Not Guilty and Trials
• A preliminary hearing is usually held before the trial.

Fees: £750.00
VAT: £150.00
Disbursements: £0.00
–
Total: £900.00

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Not guilty pleas and trials

Usually involving an initial hearing and the trial itself.

Fees: £750.00
VAT: £150.00
Disbursements: £0.00
–
Total: £900.00

• The essential stages of your case are predicated on the assumption that you have decided to plead not guilty from the start.
• Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions regarding what occurred.
• We will review the first disclosure as well as any additional material and provide guidance.
• Organising for any relevant witness statements. If witness statements are required, they will be charged at a rate of £100 per hour.
• We will explain the court system to you so that you know what to expect on the day of your hearings, as well as the procedures the court will use to reach a verdict and determine your sentence alternatives if you are found guilty.
• We will complete any additional preparation work, collect additional instructions from you if necessary, and respond to any follow-up questions you may have.
• We are unable to establish a timetable for your hearings because it is dependent on the court’s calendar and how busy the court is.
• We will appear in court on the required dates and speak with you before the case is called. We expect to be in court for no more than one day.
• We will consult with you on the conclusion. If extensive advice is necessary on an appeal, there will be an extra charge.

Our charge includes the following:

• Up to 5 hours of attendance/preparation:
• Considering the evidence
• Taking your instructions
• Instructing any expert witnesses
• Offering advice on possible sentence if convicted
• Attending and representing you at no more than two Magistrates Court hearings, including the trial.

The fee does not include:

• Advice or assistance in relation to conducting any appeal.

We may be required to amend the fee structure outlined above, in very challenging cases or when the court is located a long distance away from our office. We would always notify you if we thought your case was going to be especially challenging, and we would never start any chargeable work on your behalf without first obtaining your permission. If we felt it was essential to deviate from the cost structure outlined above, we would charge an hourly rate of £100.00 plus VAT.

Disbursements:
In most circumstances, there will be no disbursements (out of pocket expenses).
In some cases, we may recommend that you acquire a report from a specialist or expert witness. This could be the situation if you were charged with drunk driving and wanted to argue that you were just over the limit because you drank more alcohol after you completed driving.

We may suggest you to seek an expert report to determine your alcohol level at the time you were accused of driving by the police. If an expert witness is called, you will be liable for their fees. The fees paid will vary based on the expert consulted and the nature of their advice. The typical charge would be £1,000 plus VAT.

If you request that we visit a court that is more than fifteen miles distant from our Wallsend office, we may charge mileage. If we do charge mileage, it will be 45p per mile plus VAT.