Motoring

Call me on 01732 32114 or 07774 612651 for a free, short consultation. If you decide to instruct me we will arrange a fixed fee consultation to establish the full facts of the case and decide the best course of action.

I am a Solicitor Advocate. I have over 40 years’ experience as an advocate and travel all over the country representing clients. I am a Sole Practitioner with a Lexcel Quality Approved Practice and will deal with your matter from start to finish myself, unless we decide that I should instruct a barrister or a solicitor-agent. I do not employ any unqualified staff to process work for clients

Fees for dealing with ‘Summary only’ offences involving one hearing at a Magistrates’ Court

I will tell you if yours is a summary offence. Common examples of a Summary offence are:

· Speeding

· Inconsiderate and careless driving

· Failing to comply with a traffic signal

· Using a mobile telephone while driving

· Drink driving and drug driving

· Failing to provide samples of breath, urine or blood

· Driving without insurance or a licence

· Failing to stop/report

My fees include:

· all telephone calls and correspondence

· liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service/ police to obtain evidence about your case

· discussing the case with the CPS/police in advance and at court

· meetings with you and any witnesses

· taking statements

· travel to court

· waiting time

· researching relevant law as necessary

· representing you in court, including an exceptional hardship hearing to prevent a totting disqualification

· discussion of outcome and advice as to whether to appeal if applicable

My fees do not include:

· instruction of any Expert Witness

· advice and representation in relation to a Special Reasons hearing

· a hearing at which you admit the charge but not all the facts alleged by the prosecution (known as a Newton hearing),

· unforeseen matters not anticipated when the fixed fee is agreed.

Fixed Price

I charge a fixed fee for the above work, which will vary between £500 and £1200 plus VAT, depending on the complexity of the case. The fee will be worked out on my hourly rate of £150 per hour (excluding VAT). This fee will be agreed with you at the initial consultation once I have all the facts and the issues are clear. I will ask for a down payment at the initial consultation, with the balance to be paid on the conclusion of the case. I will agree an action plan with you to achieve the best result.

Disbursements

In some cases e.g where we have to instruct an expert we will incur an expense. In such circumstances we will agree any fee to be paid with you in advance before incurring the expense.

Timescale

We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place. If you have received a notice of intended prosecution or are aware you have been reported for commission of a Summary Offence the Prosecution must lay a Summons at court within 6 months. The court will then determine the first hearing date which could be after the expiration of 6 months from the date of the alleged offence. You will be given the opportunity to have your case dealt with by the Single Justice Procedure and dealt with in absence at a date of the court’s choosing. If you indicate you wish to attend court and plead guilty unless there are good reasons for adjourning the case it will be dealt with at the date set for hearing by the court.

Fees for dealing with all other cases

For cases which are:

· Not Guilty Plea Summary offences or

· Offences that are not Summary only, for example serious offences such as dangerous driving or those involving fatalities,

· Special Reasons for not disqualifying you or

· A Newton Hearing where the prosecution version of facts on a guilty plea are challenged

Our fee will depend on the amount of work required which will only become clear as the case progresses. We will agree a fixed price with you based on our hourly rate as all issues become clear.