Motoring Offences Costs

In most cases legal aid is not available for driving offences but there are certain exceptions and we can advise you if you do qualify for legal aid.

In the event you do not qualify for legal aid below are the costs for us to represent you privately for a motoring offence in court, detailing what is and what is not included in these costs. If you do require additional representation or services, please speak to us directly.

• Driving offence, guilty plea – fixed fee £ 400 (excluding VAT)
• Driving offence, not guilty plea – fixed fee £ 1000 (excluding VAT)

Fee includes:

• 2 hours attendance/preparation:
• considering evidence
• taking your instructions
• providing advice on likely sentence
• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court

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 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 (this may have an additional cost).
  • 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 [e.g. half a day].
  • We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Disbursments

There will likely be additional costs incurred during your case which will be additional to our fees, which are those payable to third parties. This could include such fees as Court costs, medical report fees, toxicology reports and more. We will always advise you of these costs before we proceed.

Timescales

The length of time your case will take depends on the point it is resolved, and the plea you enter. If you enter a guilty plea, this will usually be resolved within a single hearing. However, a not guilty plea will likely take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks, dependant on the speed that evidence is gathered as well as other factors. We will be able to give you a more accurate estimate once we have discussed your case with you directly.

Mr Christopher Iain Macdonald and Mr Paul Potter are able to assist you in relation to motoring offences and their credentials can be found here.