Motoring & Driving Offence Fees

Motoring law is increasingly complex, and difficult to navigate. Many driving offences carry significant penalties, including imprisonment. It is essential to have legal advice from the outset. This can include for the initial interview with the Police, or from the point of receiving a Notice of Intended Prosecution or Summons to attend Court.

Notwithstanding the worry of a conviction and sentence for the more serious offences, even the less serious matters can have a devastating impact on clients’ lives. For many people the loss of a driving licence will have far reaching consequences. Our highly experienced team can help guide you though the law, and procedure. If you have been charged, summonsed or requisitioned to attend Court for a motoring offence such as Driving without Due Care and Attention, Speeding, Driving whilst under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs, it is vital that you seek legal representation.

We can advise you in relation to the procedures the Police should have followed, the strengths and weaknesses of the Prosecution Case, the Court procedure, and the likely outcome. We can attend Court with you, and in some circumstances on your behalf. We will be able to advise you on all aspects of your case so that you can decide on the best course of action.

In some circumstances Legal Aid will be available. Our team will advise you on this at the outset of your matter, and if you are likely to be eligible we will lodge an application on your behalf. If Legal Aid is not available, we can assist you on a Private Client basis. Each case is different; however as a guideline our charges are set out below.

Our highly qualified Solicitors and Representatives have many years of experience representing clients facing Motoring offences. We invite you to browse their profiles on our website to see their qualifications and experience.

Our solicitors all have significant experience, and charge an hourly rate of £289 plus VAT of £57.80 per hour. Work is charged on an hourly basis throughout your matter, with a costs estimate provided in writing at the outset and updated as your matter progresses. The complexity and time involved with your matter will determine the overall cost.

In many straightforward matters we are able to offer a fixed fee. Please call to speak to one of our team to discuss whether this is something we can offer in your case.

As a guide our fixed fees are and include:-

• £270 inclusive of VAT (20%) for an initial meeting with the client to obtain instructions, provide advice as to the plea and possible sentence. This does not include representation at Court

If you wish us to represent you in our local Courts (Great Yarmouth or Norwich) our additional fixed fees for straightforward motoring matters are as follows:-

• Single hearing Guilty plea and mitigation £525 plus £105 VAT (20%)
• Single hearing Guilty plea and exceptional hardship argument £750 plus £150 VAT (20%)

Our fixed fees above include the following key stages:-

• • Requesting disclosure from the police/ cps (if applicable)
  • Review of instructions and evidence
  • Advice on whether an exceptional hardship argument should be made
  • Representation at a single hearing
  • Advice or assistance regarding an appeal
  • Taking witness statements from a witness (if required)
  • Preparing an exceptional hardship argument

• Not guilty plea or Special Reasons argument and subsequent trial lasting half a day from £1,250 plus £250 VAT (20%)
• Not guilty plea, and subsequent trial lasting a full day from £2,000 plus £400 VAT (20%)

Our fixed fees above include the following key stages:-

• • Meeting with your Solicitor to provide instructions on what happened
  • Obtaining initial disclosure and any other evidence and provide advice
  • Instructing external experts (if required)
  • Arranging and taking witness statements if necessary
  • Explaining Court procedure so you know what to expect at Court including the sentencing options available to the Court
  • Undertake such further preparatory work as required
  • Attend Court on the day, meet you before going into court and representing you
  • Discussing the outcome afterwards and all available options including an appeal

Please note that instructing external experts will incur an additional fee. The relevant fee earner will be able to provide you with an estimate, depending on the individual circumstances of your case.

If you wish us to represent you further afield, we will be more than happy to do so and can always provide you with a quote beforehand. We can assure you that you will know how much it will cost before we go ahead.

In some circumstances we may be able to reclaim some of your costs, under what is called a Defendants Costs Order.

We realise that this may be the first time you have been asked to attend Court. It can be a nerve wracking, daunting and frightening experience with potential devastating consequences. We have many years of experience of dealing with such matters and can quickly help put things in perspective and set out the best course of action. We know not only what to say in Court but also, and perhaps more importantly, what not to say.

Should you wish to discuss your matter, please do not hesitate to call or email one of our team, who will be happy to assist.