All members of the specialist Motoring Law team have many years’ experience and the skills needed in dealing with all aspects of this complex area of law, providing a comprehensive and high-quality legal service to the general public.
We understand that these cases can be very stressful and try to minimise this by our commitment to clarity, transparency and passion. We deliver consistent services across our platform of practices and sectors in all matters we undertake.
We recognise that everyone’s case and circumstances are different, therefore, our fees are calculated on a case by case basis depending on complexity and your particular needs. We will always be upfront with you about our costs and usually, deal with cases on a fixed fee basis.
Clear and Transparent Fees
In accordance with the Solicitors’ Regulatory Transparency Rules, we are required to ensure that members of the public have transparent, accurate and relevant information about a solicitor or firm when they are considering purchasing certain legal services.
Below we have listed our charges for dealing with the offences that we most commonly encounter. If your matter does not fall into one of these matters, then we will provide a bespoke quote for you.
The level of cost involved will be dependent on the seniority of the solicitor you choose to instruct to represent you in this matter on the basis that time is charged at an hourly rate or whether you agree to instruct the firm on the basis that a fixed fee will be applicable.
Hourly Rates for Motor Offence Cases
If you instruct the solicitor on the basis of an hourly rate, then the chargeable rate is set out below:
|
Status |
Hourly rate |
|
Partners |
[Insert fee] |
|
Senior Associate |
[Insert fee] |
|
Associate |
[Insert fee] |
|
Solicitor/Legal Executive |
[Insert fee] |
|
Trainees/Paralegal |
[Insert fee] |
Our Fixed Fees
Please note that the applicable fee estimates only relate to cases where the Court at which you are due to appear is within [Insert distance] from our offices. You will be liable to meet the cost of any disbursements incurred by that solicitor travelling to a Court further away to represent you and we will advise you of any additional charges incurred. Typically, this would be at [Insert fee] per hour.
You will also be liable to meet the cost of any other disbursements reasonably incurred and agreed with you in advance, in preparing your case for that hearing.
Initial Advice – [Insert fee] +vat
We provide [Insert time] of initial advice if you require advice without needing representation at court.
This includes: Receiving and reviewing your papers; Consider and advise you either by telephone or in one of our offices. This will include initial advice on possible defences and a likely sentence if pleading guilty.
Our fee does not include: Written representations or advocacy.
Letter of Representations – [Insert fee] +vat
We can assist with writing a letter of representations summarising the circumstances of your offence to ensure the court has all of the facts to reach an informed decision. We can also write a letter of representations to the police or prosecuting authority to attempt to persuade against them either issuing or proceeding with your case.
Our fee includes: Attending to you over the phone/in person; Preparation time; Considering evidence; Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence; Written representation including advising on a decision
Our fee does not include: Attendance at court; Third-party or experts fees; Inquiries of witnesses/third parties
We do not expect to do any work outside the terms of the fixed price quoted, however, if needed, we will notify you if this changes and discuss with you how the additional work may be charged.
Written Guilty Plea – [Insert fee] +vat
After the initial advice and where the best option is to plead guilty, we will manage your case to a conclusion by submission of a written guilty plea.
This will additionally include preparing a letter in mitigation and communicating with the court on your behalf. This can sometimes give you the best result by minimising the penalty that could be imposed.
Court Appearance: Guilty Plea – [Insert fee] +vat
As above; but to include representing you at court on a guilty plea, [assuming one hearing] this will include meeting you at court and dealing with your case as a priority on the day; £800 plus Vat.
Our fee includes: Attending to you over the phone/in person; Preparation time; Considering evidence; Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence; Full representation up to and including the hearing; Where appropriate, advice on whether an exceptional hardship or special reasons argument should be made; Representation at single hearing for no more than [Insert time]. Barristers Fees.
Our fee does not include: Instruction of any expert witnesses or taking statements; Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing; Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal; Representation in person at future hearings; Third-party or experts fees; Any Court adjournment to another date, requiring us to reschedule date of attendance; Any further work following the conclusion of your final hearing or appeal; Any fine imposed by the court, surcharge or order for costs made in favour of prosecution
Court Appearance: Defending Your Licence (Exceptional Hardship and Special Reasons Case) – [Insert fee] +vat
If you are facing a driving disqualification or penalty points then in certain circumstances you might be able to argue special reasons to avoid a disqualification or any points.
This will include conference as required and the preparation of a written submission to the Court to assist your evidence, attending with you on the day at court and presenting your case to the court and any applicable appeal advice.
Our fee includes: Attending to you over the phone/in person; A full assessment of the evidence including advice on likely sentence/prospects of success; Preparation time; Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence; Full representation up to and including the sentencing hearing for no more than [Insert time]; Providing assistance in obtaining character reference evidence and mitigating any penalties that the Court may impose; Written plea and written case management; Barristers fees.
Our fee does not include: Instruction of any expert witnesses or taking statements; Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal; Attendance at more than one hearing; Any Court adjournment to another date; Any work following the conclusion of your final hearing or appeal which would incur additional fees; Any further work following the conclusion of your final hearing or appeal; Any fine imposed by the court, surcharge or order for costs made in favour of the prosecution.
Bespoke Fixed Fees
Our specialists are regularly instructed to challenge cases in trial. Typically, these involve costs of [Insert fee] plus Vat and the costs of any expert’s reports. In every trial case, you will be provided with a detailed costs estimate depending on the seniority of the solicitor/professional used (Please see ‘Hourly Rates’ above).
Likely Timescales
For guilty plea cases, this will depend on the court date for the final hearing but could easily be up to [Insert time]. For not guilty pleas the average duration is [Insert time]. Again, each case is individual and will turn on its own merits. We can give you a more accurate indication of this during an initial consultation.
In cases where a guilty plea is submitted and the case is dealt with at a single hearing, the whole case is usually completed within [Insert time].
VAT & Disbursements
Our fees and some disbursements are subject to VAT at 20%.
Disbursements are charges payable in addition to our fees, normally to a third party. They can include fees payable to the Land Registry, barristers, search providers and travel costs. The amount charged for the disbursements depends upon several variables, therefore, we will advise you of the correct charges when we have an initial consultation to ascertain all the facts.
Contact Us Today
For a free initial discussion about your individual circumstances, please contact us below.
To speak to our Commercial Property team, please call us on 029 2048 2444 or email us at [email protected].
We can assist wherever you are based and have offices in Cardiff.