Motoring
If you have been charged with a motoring offence, such as speeding, driving without due care and attention or driving whilst under the influence, professional legal advice will help limit the possible consequences.
Our fees for dealing with summary only motoring offences can vary, depending on whether the plea is Guilty or Not Guilty and the number of hearings involved. We have set fees depending on your circumstances:
A guilty plea summary offence: Our fixed fee is £750 plus VAT. If the case is adjourned to another day we will charge an additional £350 plus VAT.
A guilty plea speeding offence: Where the case does not fall under the Courts totting up procedure our fixed fee is £750 plus VAT
A special reasons guilty plea hearing: Our fixed fee is £1250 plus VAT
An Exceptional Hardship argument: This is where you are liable to a disqualification under the Courts totting up procedure, our fixed fee is £1500 plus VAT.
A trial in relation to a summary motor offence: For the preparation leading up to and including the trial our fixed fee is £1,750 plus VAT for a half day hearing or £2,500 plus VAT for a full day hearing.
What’s included
Our fees will typically include:
- All telephone calls, letters and emails as well meeting you at our offices to take your full instructions
- Advising you on the evidence and the court procedure and answer any questions you may have
- Attending court to represent you at each hearing of your case
- Reporting back to you with our advice, if appropriate, on appeal
Exclusions
Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will inform you as soon as possible with a clear estimate of those costs.
The following expenses are not included in our fixed fee:
- The cost of travelling to any court other than our local Kingston court. Travel is charged at 50ppm plus VAT.
- The cost of an expert report if needed to support the defence.
- Counsel or Expert fees
- Court fees
- Preparing more than one witness statement
- Obtaining witness statements, whether expert or other.
- Acting for you in an appeal.
Time Scales
Most summary motoring offences are dealt with at the first hearing and usually within one month of the date of receipt of the postal requisition or the date of charge.
If you’re entering a guilty plea, the case is often concluded at the first hearing. This might be adjourned (although usually for no more than four to six weeks) if a special reasons or exceptional hardship argument is to be heard and which therefore needs a separate listing.
If you’re entering a not guilty plea, the case will be adjourned for a trial which usually takes place within three months.
Summary only motoring matters are considered of low priority by the court and are more likely to be adjourned if they are listed on a trial day with other higher priority trials.
Key Milestones
According to your circumstances, these are the typical milestones:
- Meet your solicitor and instruct them to act for you
- Disclosure – we’ll look at the prosecution evidence provided and advise you accordingly
- Witness statements – if needed and agreed.
- Liaison – we’ll prepare you on what expect on the day of your hearing and discuss the sentencing options available to the court
- Preparatory work – according to your instructions
- At court – we’ll attend court on the day and meet you before your case is called into court.
- The outcome – We’ll discuss the outcome of the court hearing with you, and discuss further steps.
