Summary Motoring Offences

Motoring Offences

Summary motoring offences can only be heard in the Magistrates’ Court. Some cases may be dealt with under the Single Justice Procedure; however, if a driving disqualification is being considered, or if you enter a not guilty plea, the matter must be heard at a Magistrates’ Court hearing.

Legal Aid is generally not available for these types of cases. Our fees vary depending on the circumstances, including whether you plead guilty or not guilty and how many hearings are required.

Summary motoring offences include matters such as drink or drug driving, speeding, driving without insurance, failing to provide driver details, driving without due care and attention, using a mobile phone while driving, and failing to provide a specimen.

Most motoring cases are resolved at the first court hearing, which usually takes place within one month of receiving the postal requisition to attend court. If a not guilty plea is entered, the case will typically be adjourned for trial, which is usually scheduled within three months of the initial hearing.

  • A police car parked on a bustling street in central London, England.

Our range of fixed fees

Generally, we aim to conduct summary motoring offences on a fixed fee basis as follows:

  • For a guilty plea summary offence such as drink driving our fixed fee is £500 plus VAT (£100) (total £600). This assumes the case is dealt with in one hearing.
  • For a guilty plea speeding offence where the case does not fall under the Court’s totting up procedure our fixed fee is also £400 plus VAT (£80.00) (total £480.00).
  • For an exceptional hardship argument/special reason hearing our fixed fee is £600 plus VAT (£120.00) (total £720.00).
  • For a trial in relation to a summary motor offence, to include preparation leading up to and including the trial, our prices start at £1,000 plus VAT (£200.00) (total £1200.00)..
  • For advice on appeal in the magistrates court our fixed fee is £150 plus VAT (£30.00) (total £180.00). To conduct an appeal our fixed rate is typically £1,000 plus VAT (£200.00) (Total £1200.00), however, our prices our case specific.

What does the fixed fee include?

Based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing;

  • All telephone calls, letters and emails
  • Attendance upon you at our offices or other agreed location to take your instructions (time estimate 1 hour)
  • Considering evidence ( time estimate 1 hour)
  • Advice in respect of the strength of the case ( time estimate 30 minutes)
  • Providing advice on plea and likely sentence ( time estimate 30 minutes)
  • Representation at court on the day your case is listed (time estimate between 30 minutes to 1 hour )

The fixed fee does not include:

Based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing;

Disbursements and Expenses

Instruction of any expert witnesses. The price of an expert would be dependent on the case and quoted directly by the expert instructed
Travel expenses such as mileage. We charge mileage at 45 pence per mile which is subject to VAT at 20% (0.09 pence) (total 54 pence).

Our hourly charging rates

Our fixed hourly rates for all fee-earners are detailed as follows;

  • Director– £250.00 per hour plus VAT (£50.00) (total £300.00)
  • Solicitors – £200.00 per hour plus VAT (£40.00) ( total 240.00)

We will provide an estimate as to how many hours work is required to conduct and prepare for your case based on our experience of previous similar cases. VAT is charged at 20%.

Key stages of your case

The key stages of your matter are usually as follows:

  • Initial meeting with your solicitor in the office when we will take your instructions on what happened (approximately 30 minutes)
  • We will consider the evidence and provide you with legal advice (approximately 30 minutes)
  • We will explain the court procedure to you and advise you what to expect (approximately 15 minutes)
  • We will discuss the sentencing options available to the court (approximately 15 minutes)
  • We will complete any preparatory work ahead of the hearing (approximately 1 hour)
  • We will answer any follow up queries you have. (approximately 15 minutes)
  • 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 will anticipate being at court approximately 30 minutes before your hearing. (approximately 30 minutes)
  • We will discuss the outcome with you and advise you on the merits of an appeal. (approximately 15 minutes)

Our Motoring Law Solicitors:

Get in touch

If you would like to contact us please either fill in the form below, call us on 01733 340666 or email us at info@devaskeoghjames.co.uk

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