Motoring Offences - Summary Only

Usually, Legal Aid will not be available for motoring offences. There are some exceptions to this, particularly in relation to more serious allegations including Dangerous Driving, Driving with Excess Alcohol (where the alcohol reading is very high, usually at least double the legal limit in breath, blood or urine) and other similar charges. Where Legal Aid is available for your case, we will advise you and assist you in making an application.

In all other cases, we will be pleased to represent you on a privately funded basis, and we have provided the below information about our costs in relation to appearances before Tameside, Manchester, Stockport and Bolton Magistrates’ Courts. We will be extremely happy to represent you at other Courts too, although our fees will be higher, to reflect the additional travelling time.

Our fees below, will include taking your instructions, preparing your case and presenting your case at Court on your behalf.

Guilty plea at Court, concluded at the first hearing
£450 + £90 (VAT) = £540 Total
Guilty plea at Court, where there are two hearings
£725 + £145 (VAT) = £870 Total
Application for Exceptional Hardship
£725 = £145 (VAT) = £870 Total

Guilty plea at Court, concluded at the first hearing

£450 + £90 (VAT) = £540 Total

Guilty plea at Court, where there are two hearings

£725 + £145 (VAT) = £870 Total

Application for Exceptional Hardship

£725 = £145 (VAT) = £870 Total

Fees for the hearings listed above include:-

2 hours attendance/preparation
Considering of all evidence served by the Crown Prosecution Service
Taking your instructions in person/over a video or other form of link
Providing advice on a likely sentence
Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court (except where stated)

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 below 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 give instructions on what happened from your point of view.
We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice.
We will arrange the taking of witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost of £175 + £35 (VAT) = £210 Total.
We will explain the court procedure to you, to absolutely ensure 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 further queries you have.
We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court's diary and listings 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 up to 3 hours+.
We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Appeals

We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Not guilty plea, with a trial lasting up to half a day
£1,000 + £200 (VAT) = £1,200 Total
Not guilty plea, with a trial that lasts up to a full day
£1,900 + £380 (VAT) = £2,280 Total
Application for Exceptional Hardship
£500 + £100 (VAT) = £600 Total
Application for Special Reasons, lasting up to half a day
£1,000 + £200 (VAT) = £1,200 Total
Applications for Special Reasons, lasting up to a full day
£1,900 + £380 (VAT) = £2,280 Total

Not guilty plea, with a trial lasting up to half a day

£1,000 + £200 (VAT) = £1,200 Total

Not guilty plea, with a trial that lasts up to a full day

£1,900 + £380 (VAT) = £2,280 Total

Application for Exceptional Hardship

£500 + £100 (VAT) = £600 Total

Application for Special Reasons, lasting up to half a day

£1,000 + £200 (VAT) = £1,200 Total

Applications for Special Reasons, lasting up to a full day

£1,900 + £380 (VAT) = £2,280 Total

The fee for the hearings listed above include:-

6 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 (except where stated)
Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal

Court that you wish to put forward Special Reasons or Exceptional Hardship and have a date for your hearing.

The stages are as follows:-

Meet with your solicitor to give instructions on what happened from your point of view.
We will consider initial Crown Prosecution Service disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice.
We will arrange the taking of witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost of £175 + £35 (VAT) = £210 Total.
We will explain the court procedure to you to absolutely ensure 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 courts diary and listings 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 half a day, except where stated otherwise.
We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry additional costs.

FIND OUT MORE