Motoring Offences

Legal aid is not always available for most driving offences as they are summary only offences which can only be tried in the Magistrates Court. (This is because they will fail the interests of justice test required to be passed to be granted legal aid in the Magistrates Court, which is also means tested).

The main driving summary only offences are:

  • Driving whilst disqualified.
  • Drink driving/drug driving.
  • Driving without insurance/road tax/MOT.
  • Careless driving.
  • Failing to give information as to the identity of the driver.
  • Failing to stop and/or report a road traffic accident.

Our Fees for the Magistrates Court:

NB: VAT is charged at 20%.

  1. A fixed fee of £300 plus VAT for a guilty plea involving up to half a day at Court.
  2. A fixed fee of £1200 plus VAT for a summary trial involving up to one day at Court for straightforward matters. *

 

*The fees quoted are for routine straightforward matters. If your matter is complicated or requires more than 2 hours preparation time, then the fee could be substantially more and will be charged depending on the amount of time that is anticipated on the matter.. We will always discuss this with you in advance.

These fees are for straightforward matters and include:

>  2 hours attendance/preparation by a Solicitor/Barrister of up to 8 years’ experience

  • Consideration of the evidence.
  • Taking of your instructions.
  • Providing advice on the likely outcome/sentence.

 

>  Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court for a straightforward matter.

 

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 will have an additional cost, witness).
  • 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 half a day in a guilty plea and in the case of a summary trial one day.
  • We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Our Team:

Our criminal defence team is made up of directors, qualified solicitors, advocates and paralegals. The team is supervised by Sheraz Chowdhry who has a wealth of experience working in criminal defence matters, including motoring offences, and qualified as a solicitor in 2001. The Advocates are supervised by Gurminder Ghuman, a Solicitor Advocate who qualified in 2007.