Mandatory Information
We are required to provide price information for assistance in relation to summary only motoring offences under Part I of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and s89 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Fixed fee short advice £350 plus VAT.
If you wish to receive advice but not immediately instruct us for your case then a “short advice” is available at the fixed fee above. This includes:
- One attendance on you in person
- Preliminary consideration of your case and instructions
- Advice on whether you have a defence and whether expert evidence will be needed
- Advice on sentence
- A letter setting out our advice to you
It does not include:
- Interviewing any witnesses
- Attending on any hearing
- Any work beyond the first meeting and preparation of the written letter of advice
Fixed fees
Driving offence, guilty plea – fixed fee £875 plus VAT
Fee includes:
- Attendance on you and preparation of up to 3 hours
- Considering evidence
- Taking your instructions and providing advice on mitigation and likely sentence
- Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court
- Advice in relation to any appeal
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
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 at additional; cost of £175 plus VAT.
- 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 up to half a day including waiting
Driving offence, not guilty plea, special reasons application, licence return cases – fixed fee £1750 plus VAT
- Attendance on you preparation of proof of evidence and preparation
- Considering evidence
- Advising you on the law and defences and if required; ambit of special reasons not to disqualify and in relevant cases, basis to apply for return of licence
- Advising you on the need for expert evidence (if required)
- Identifying and instruction of experts as required (but not payment of their fees)
- Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court of up to one day for the purposes of trial
- Advice in relation to any appeal
The fee does not include:
- Any second days of trial or adjourned hearings
- The lodging or conduct of an appeal
Hourly rates
More complex summary only driving cases which are unsuitable for a fixed fee will be done at an hourly rate. They will take about 15 hours including travel and wait and attendance at court this includes:
Our hourly rate for summary only motoring cases is £175 per hour whether your case is done by a solicitor or partner.
- Considering evidence
- Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence
- Where you cannot anticipate the likely sentence, advice on the options available to the court in relation to sentencing
- Where appropriate, advice on whether an exceptional hardship, or special reasons argument should be made
- Representation at a single hearing
- Taking statements from, and examination of witnesses
- The estimate also includes advising on an appeal and identifying but not paying for expert witnesses.
Our likely total cost for this sort of case will be £3150 including VAT plus any experts’ fees.
Time scales
Summary only Road Traffic cases take between one week and three months to conclude depending on court listings.
Profiles of solicitors who conduct motoring cases: