Expertise
Our expertise in motoring offences arises from our solicitor’s vast experience in criminal defence matters. The firm’s membership of the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme (CLAS) is a formal recognition of this achievement.
We understand the severe consequences that can accompany this category of offence and would be more than happy to provide representation to defend against driving-related criminal charges or police investigations.
Summary Motoring Offences
The following matters are likely to be on the less severe end of the scale (what we call Summary offences) and an indication of this is that the matter stays in the Magistrates’ Court.
- Speeding offences
- Using a hand-held mobile device while driving
- Driving without insurance
- Driving without due care and attention (careless driving)
- Failing to stop and exchange details after a road traffic accident
- Failing to provide driver or insurance details on request
- Driving whilst disqualified
- Driving or being in charge of a vehicle while over the alcohol or drug limit
- Failing to provide a specimen for analysis (alcohol/drugs)
- Solitary or very few fixed penalty and/or camera-detected offences (red light, bus lane, congestion charge offences)
Pricing
All costs given on our website are only indicative of a typical case. We will assess each case based on its own complexities, merits and foreseeable costs.
Fee Structures:
Our most common fee structure for summary offences is ‘fixed fee’ which will vary according to the number and nature of alleged offences. As a general rule of thumb, an uncontested motoring offence (i.e where a client pleads guilty) which only requires 1 hearing will likely cost £1,000 + VAT.
Work Covered:
Under a fixed fee agreement there are limitations of what is included in our scope of work which we list below for your information.
Included
- Attendance/preparation
- Considering the evidence against a client
- Taking your instructions
- Advising on likely sentence range
- Attendance and representation at a single Magistrates’ Court hearing
Not included
- Attending trial
- Instruction of expert witnesses
- Taking defence witness statements to support your case
- Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing
- Advice and assistance of any newton hearing
- Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal
However, more complex cases, those involving more than one hearing, when a client pleads ‘not guilty’ or if an expert report is required the fee structure will change to an ‘hourly rate’ basis. Our solicitor’s rate for this is £300 + VAT in line with HMCTS guidance for solicitors’ with more than 8 years’ experience.
Price Transparency
Disbursments
| Likely Disbursements | Approximate total fees (VAT to be paid at a rate of 20%) |
| Expert Witness Reports (Forensic/Medical etc) | £1,000 – £2,000 + VAT |
| Counsel’s Fee | £500 – £1,000 + VAT / day |
Either-Way or Indictable Motoring Offences
The following matters are likely to be on the more severe end of the scale (what we call Either-Way or Indictable offences) and an indication of this is that the matter is to be heard in the Crown Court even if it is initially heard before a Magistrates’ Court.
- Dangerous driving
- Causing serious injury by careless or dangerous driving
- Causing death by careless or dangerous driving
Main Stages
- Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions as to what happened
- Consideration of initial police/prosecution disclosure and any other evidence
- Advise on the disclosure and other relevant evidence
- Arrange to take any witness statements, if necessary, which could carry an additional cost
- 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.
- Conduct any further preparatory work obtain further instructions from you, if necessary
- Court attendance – A member of staff or a representative instructed by the firm will attend Court on the day and meet with you
- Inform you of the outcome of your case
- If necessary advise on the prospects of appeal which will carry an additional cost
Complicating Factors
While we do our best to avoid your matter becoming unduly complicated, at times this is unavoidable.
The following factors can result in a more complicated case than first anticipated and it is important that you are aware of them:
- Contesting the admissibility of evidence (eg breathalyser or speed camera challenges)
- Multiple concurrent offences or defendants
- Where expert evidence is required
- Lengthy trials
- Appeals against convictions and/or sentences where co-defendants have been unsuccessful in their appeal(s)
Timescales
You may be wondering how long your matter will take from first instructing us until the conclusion of the case.
This short answer is that the timescale of your case will depend on whether the police/prosecution agree to take no further action (NFA) or pursue the matter to trial.
In our experience, straightforward motoring offence cases can normally take between 3 – 6 months to conclude.
However, where cases are more complex, it can take up to a year and sometimes beyond that. Regrettably, there is currently a severe backlog for criminal trials with trials being listed as late as 2026/7 by the courts. We ask you to be patient with us if this is the case and trust that we will always push to get the best outcome for you.
We will always keep you updated as soon as we can practically communicate anything we recieve from the courts.