The following is a guide to our costs in relation to motoring offences that can only be dealt with in the Magistrates Court such as drink and drug driving, failing to provide a specimen of breath, speeding, careless driving, using a mobile phone whilst driving, using a motor vehicle whilst uninsured and failing to provide driver information to the police.
Whilst we provide comprehensive representation in the Magistrates and Crown Courts for all motoring offences this guide does not cover more serious offences where the law allows trial in either the Magistrates or Crown Court. Examples of offences not covered by this fees guide will be dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, causing death or serious injury through dangerous or careless driving. Please note that dependent on your financial circumstances, you may be eligible for Legal Aid to cover your representation for these types of offences.
None of the fees below include disbursements except for an advocates mileage and parking. Any expert reports, medical reports or third party costs are in addition to the fees below.
If you have any specific requests not covered in the fees below we are happy to discuss these with you and accommodate them where possible but this may mean an increase to the fee illustrated below.
All fees must be paid in advance of work done unless agreed otherwise and fees quoted below are exclusive of VAT.
Consultation fee - £200 - we offer a one hour consultation with a Solicitor to consider the available evidence, provide advice as to likely plea and the sentencing options available to the Court and whether you have an exceptional hardship argument or special reasons hearing to put before the court. This will include confirmation of advice in writing thereafter.
It does not include any representation at Court.
Representation at Court for a guilty plea - £500 - this fee includes representation by a Solicitor or Barrister of our choice within Essex to mitigate on your behalf and advise on appeal as appropriate.
This will not include guilty pleas involving either an exceptional hardship or special reasons argument to be put forward. Nor will it include any additional or adjourned hearings. Hearings outside Essex may attract an additional fee subject to their geographical location and that will be discussed with you and agreed in advance.
Trials
Half day trials and special reasons hearings - £1,500 - This will cover representation at trial by a Solicitor or Barrister of our choice. It will cover the taking of a statement from yourself and one defence witness to a maximum of 2 hours. It will cover consideration of prosecution and defence evidence of up to 50 pages and advising on the same. It will cover the locating and instructing of an expert where necessary and all communications between us and yourself, the prosecution, Court and any third party directly involved with your case.
It will not cover any pre trial hearings (which are unlikely for offences of this nature) nor will it cover any additional trial hearing if your case has to be adjourned for example, due to lack of Court time. Additional trial dates and pre trial hearings will be fixed at £350 each.
We regularly undertake complex and large motoring matters that fall outside what is described above. If your case is one like this we can provide you with a bespoke fixed fee upon request.
Full day Trials and special reasons hearings - £2,000 - This will cover representation at trial by a Solicitor or Barrister of our choice. It will cover the taking of a statement from yourself and 2 defence witness to a maximum of 3 hours. It will cover consideration of prosecution and defence evidence of up to 50 pages and advising on the same. It will cover the locating and instructing of an expert where necessary and all communications between us and yourself, the prosecution, Court and any third party directly involved with your case.
It will not cover any pre trial hearings (which are unlikely for offences of this nature) nor will it cover any additional trial hearing if your case has to be adjourned for example, due to lack of court time. Additional trial dates and pre trial hearings will be fixed at £350 each. Additional defence witness that need to be seen and statements taken will be an additional £150 each.
We regularly undertake complex and large motoring matters that fall outside what is described above. If your case is one like this we can provide you with a bespoke fixed fee upon request.
Exceptional hardship arguments -
Initial Consultation - £200 - We strongly advise an initial consultation in these matters to ascertain at an early stage whether you have a good case. We will advise you on the merits of any argument and if appropriate provide written advice as the documents you will need to put forward your argument at Court. This will be with a solicitor for up to an hour.
Representation at court - £600 - this fee includes representation by a Solicitor or Barrister of our choice within Essex to put forward your hardship argument on your behalf and advise on appeal as appropriate.
This will not include any adjourned hearings. Hearings outside Essex may attract an additional fee subject to their geographical location and that will be discussed with you and agreed in advance.