With constant changes not only to the law and sentencing guidelines, but also the ways that our roads and motorways operate, it's now easier than ever to find yourself on the wrong end of a motoring offence. Options of fixed penalties or awareness courses will eventually be replaced by a court summons and often the first you are aware of the matter is when the relevant paperwork drops through the letterbox.
Our road traffic team have decades of experience in helping and representing those investigated and prosecuted for all manner of driving offences. We can help you from the moment you become aware that you may be charged or summonsed, all the way through to the conclusion of any Court proceedings.
We understand how stressful and upsetting it is to be facing a motoring offence allegation, which could not only cause inconvenience, but in many cases also lead to the loss of your employment and consequently even your home. Driving convictions have far reaching consequences and in some cases can lead to a prison sentence, as well as the loss of your driving licence.
It is essential that you obtain specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity so that any potential prosecution can be addressed, whether that be defending the allegation at trial or mitigating your circumstances in order to obtain the lowest possible penalty and minimise the impact on you or your business.
Thorough consideration of the specific facts and legal position relevant to your case can often show that you may have a defence which could negate any fines, points or disqualification. We will explore every aspect to obtain the best possible results and, in some cases, we may be able to help you avoid Court altogether.
We have considerable experience in preparing and advancing successful arguments of ‘exceptional hardship’, where the court are considering a disqualification in cases where penalty points have reached the limit of 12 points.
Steve Foster oversees all our criminal and motoring offences, assisted by other members of staff and where appropriate external Counsel. Steve is a Director with the firm has been a criminal and road traffic defence litigator for over 35 years. Throughout that time he has acted for clients facing the full range of driving related matters, from speeding through the causing death by dangerous driving. He has an enviable reputation due to his attention to detail with each case and unparalleled client care.
The hourly rates for our lawyers vary, depending on their experience. A junior fee-earner is charged at £200 per hour plus VAT and a Senior Solicitor/Director is charged at £330 per hour plus VAT.
VAT throughout is at 20%
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as travel expenses, counsel’s fees, medical and experts’ reports. These are generally payable in addition to any legal fees and are charged at cost. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. VAT is not payable on disbursements.
We have established an enviable track record in cases spanning all levels of seriousness and complexity, including:
The total cost of your case will depend on a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to:
The majority of guilty pleas are dealt with on one occasion and therefore conclude on that day.
Trial cases for summary only motoring offences will usually conclude within 3 months of the first court appearance. Trial cases usually accommodate up to three hearings (1st appearance, case management hearing and trial). That said, timescales can vary from case to case.
Every case is different, so it is very difficult to give an accurate estimate of the costs of your case without knowing anything about it. However, as a ‘fixed fee’ guide:
A fixed fee includes:
The fixed fee does not include:
If you are found ‘not guilty’ after trial, we will apply for a defence costs order. However, the amount awarded would be limited to the amount payable under specified Legal Aid rates, which are considerably lower than our private client rates. This means that you are unlikely to recover the full legal representation costs you have paid to us.
If there are further hearings, in addition to the scheduled date for your trial, there will be additional costs.
In relation to any subsequent appeal proceedings in the Crown Court, it is very difficult to give an accurate estimate of the total fees you are likely to incur, as each case is assessed on its own merits and facts. However, once we have had an initial discussion with you and have been provided with further information, we will be able to give you a more accurate estimate and will keep you regularly updated as the matter progresses. Wherever possible we will endeavour to provide you with a realistic and competitive quote for a fixed fee, which will depend greatly on the level of experience of the barrister instructed to represent you. Counsel's fees generally range between £700 to £1,000 plus VAT per day (including Brief Fee) for attending a hearing (including preparation). The issue of counsel’s fees will always be discussed and agreed with you in advance.
Notable and recent cases where our team have acted include: