For cases which are dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court, we charge on the following basis.
Please note if you have been charged with a driving offence that can be dealt with in the Crown Court (an either way or indictable offence), the charging structure set out below does not apply.
We usually charge for the work carried out on a case on an hourly rate, and according to the number of hours worked on the case.
The hourly rate charged varies according to the complexity of the case and the seniority of the solicitor handling it. Our hourly rates generally range from £200- £230 per hour for a solicitor, £280- £295 per hour for an associate solicitor to £325 per hour for a partner.
We usually work on an hourly rate basis to provide advice about evidence and plea and sentence, and the prospects of a successful exceptional hardship or special reasons finding to avoid disqualification, preparing the case including considering prosecution evidence, obtaining defence evidence and representation at court. The number of hours involved in any case will depend on a number of factors, the most important being intended plea, the amount of evidence to consider, the time spent attending you and advising you, and any witnesses (including experts), the time spent drafting documents and the time spent at court.
There are a range of possible charges just as there are many different types of driving offences. In general, for simple, single hearing cases (usually guilty pleas) fees would generally be between £1500 to £5000. That would typically include:
1. Routine correspondence with you
2. Perusal of a prosecution evidence
3. Advising you on the strength of the evidence, plea
4. Taking your instructions
5. Representing you at one hearing
6. Typically, single hearing cases end on the day of the first hearing
There are many variables for more complex or longer cases that go to trial or have multiple hearings.
We will provide an estimate when we have the necessary information about the type of charge, volume and nature of evidence, intended plea, and circumstances that gave rise to the allegation. When we have more information about the nature of the case, we will also be able to provide further details about timescales.
If you ask us to instruct a barrister to represent you at court the barrister’s fees will be charged in addition to our fees. We will notify you in advance what those fees will be. For low level driving offences barrister’s fees generally range from between £500 and £5000 plus VAT but much will depend on the nature of the case and the seniority of the barrister.
In some cases, an expert witness will need to be instructed. The expert’s fees will be in addition to this firm’s fees. Again, we will let you know what those fees will be in advance. These generally range from between £1000 and £4000 plus VAT.
You may be responsible for additional costs that are incurred by us on your behalf from another organisation. In addition to barrister and expert fees as referred to above, this could include interpreter/translation costs, travel costs if we have to travel outside our office on your behalf, and courier costs. Whether or not disbursements will be incurred on your behalf will depend on the nature of the case.
You will be kept appraised of your costs throughout your case.
Value Added Tax (VAT) is required to be added to our fees and all disbursements. This applies if your usual place of residence is the UK. Details of the current rate of VAT which will be applied. If you are not resident in the UK, you are not liable to pay VAT.