Motoring Offence Fees

Motoring Offence Solicitors Fees and Costs

It can be daunting when you face a driving charge and have no previous experience of the Police or Courts.

We have an open and transparent approach to our fee structure so you have one less thing to worry about.

Our fees vary depending on the level of service you require and the facts of your case.

We offer the following levels of service:

  • Face to Face advice – starting with a 30 minute consultation
  • Written Representations – in some cases we can help you achieve the result you need by crafting the right written representations
  • Guilty Plea Representation – in cases where a guilty plea is anticipated we may only require to meet with you on one occasion and make one appearance at court. Our fees will reflect the amount of work required.
  • Not guilty plea – trial representation – each trial is unique and will require different levels of preparation. We will work with you to agree a fee that helps you prepare for trial with confidence.
  • Application to restore a driving licence after disqualification – We can offer a fixed fee service which takes account of the degree of complexity involved with the application and whether it is to be made at the magistrates or crown court.

Insurance

You may have insurance which provides legal expenses cover to help you protect your licence. Most commonly you might have insurance through your motor cover but in some instances you may be insured via your home or even credit card insurance. It is worth checking what policies you have. We will work with your insurer to obtain the best outcome for your case.

Legal Aid

Legal Aid remains available for those road traffic cases which may result in a prison sentence and is available for all Police Station interviews under caution whether under arrest or as a volunteer.

Sills & Betteridge have a contract to provide Legal Aid representation and we will discuss with you whether legal aid might be available for your case.

We can attend most Police Stations to represent you twenty four hours a day seven days a week simply contact us in advance or ask for Sills & Betteridge if you are taken to the Police Station.

Defendants Costs Orders

If you are not eligible for legal aid and if we succeed at trial or persuade the CPS to withdraw charges then we will apply on your behalf to recoup a percentage of the fees you will have paid from the Court.

Drink/drug driving offence – guilty plea – fixed fee £500 plus VAT

Fee includes:

  • Initial telephone consultation;
  • Half hour initial attendance at one of our offices;
  • Considering evidence;
  • Taking your instructions;
  • Providing advice on plea and likely sentence;
  • Promptly confirming your instructions, our advice and outcome to you in writing;
  • Attendance and representation at initial hearing at the Magistrates Court (to include second hearing on the same date if a pre-sentence report is obtained);
  • Oral advice on appeal.

The fee does not include:

  • Instruction of any expert witnesses;
  • Taking statements from any witnesses;
  • Corresponding with the court or prosecuting body;
  • Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing;
  • Written advice in relation to any appeal;
  • The conduct of any appeal.

The key stages of your matter will typically be:

  • Initial telephone consultation with your solicitor to include the giving of preliminary advice;
  • A meeting with your solicitor at our office if required, at which we will consider initial prosecution evidence, any other evidence, take your instructions and provide advice;
  • We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing;
  • We will then prepare for the hearing, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any final queries you have;
  • We cannot confirm what time 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 discuss the outcome with you.  If required we will provide immediate, oral advice on appeal.  If written advice on appeal is required this will carry an additional cost.

Please note these fees apply to cases heard at Lincoln, Boston, Nottingham and Mansfield Magistrates Courts only.  Other courts will incur additional costs and travelling expenses – please contact us for a quote.

Speeding, traffic signal offences, failing to provide driver details offences, no insurance, careless driving – guilty pleas – fixed fee £500 plus VAT

Fee includes:

  • Initial telephone consultation;
  • Half an hour initial attendance at one of our offices;
  • Considering evidence;
  • Taking your instructions;
  • Providing advice on plea and likely sentence;
  • Promptly confirming your instructions, our advice and outcome to you in writing;
  • Attendance and representation at initial hearing at the Magistrates Court, including making representations to prosecutor where necessary;
  • Oral advice on appeal.

The fee does not include:

  • Instruction of any expert witnesses;
  • Preparing and presenting to the court an “exceptional hardship” argument (where the Magistrates will be considering disqualification under the totting up procedures).  Such work will incur additional costs.  (Usually calculated at the rate of £210 plus VAT per hour but an additional fixed fee or fee-cap may be available);
  • Taking statements from any witnesses;
  • Corresponding with the court or prosecuting body;
  • Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing;
  • Written advice in relation to any appeal;
  • The conduct of any appeal.

The key stages of your matter will typically be:

  • Initial telephone consultation with your solicitor to include the giving of preliminary advice;
  • A meeting with your solicitor at our office if required, at which we will consider the prosecution evidence, any other evidence, take your instructions and provide advice;
  • We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing;
  • We will then prepare for the hearing, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any final queries you may have;
  • We cannot confirm what time 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 discuss the outcome with you.  If required we will provide immediate, oral advice on appeal.  If written advice on appeal is required this will carry an additional cost.

Please note these fees apply to cases heard at Lincoln, Boston, Nottingham and Mansfield Magistrates Courts only.  Other courts will incur additional costs and travelling expenses – please contact us for a quote.

Motoring Offences in the Magistrates Court only

Not guilty pleas

In not guilty plea cases requiring a trial our fees are calculated on an hourly rate basis or, subject to our discretion, a fixed fee may be offered (please call for details).  The hourly rate is usually £210 plus VAT plus any disbursements (mileage, expert witness fees etc.) We estimate that a  case requiring a half day trial before the Magistrates Court will require, in total 8-10 hours of work.  Please note that this is an estimate, very simple cases may take less time and more complex cases are likely to take longer.

Our fees include:

  • Initial telephone consultation;
  • Initial attendance at one of our offices;
  • Considering evidence;
  • Taking your instructions;
  • Promptly confirming your instructions, our advice and outcome to you in writing;
  • Providing advice on plea and likely sentence;
  • Taking a proof of evidence from you;
  • Obtaining details of witnesses and attempting to contact those witnesses;
  • Taking statements from defence witnesses;
  • Complying with Criminal Procedure Rules;
  • Corresponding with the court and the prosecution;
  • Answering your questions throughout proceedings;
  • Instructing expert witnesses where required;
  • Preparing case fully for trial including preparing for cross examination of prosecution witnesses, draft closing argument etc;
  • Advising and representing you at initial hearing and any subsequent hearings including the trial and any sentencing hearing;
  • Oral advice on appeal.

The fee does not include:

  • Preparing and presenting to the court an “exceptional hardship” argument (where the Magistrates will be considering disqualification under the totting up procedures).  Such work will incur additional costs;
  • Written advice in relation to any appeal;
  • The conduct of any appeal.
  • The key stages of your matter will typically be:
  • Initial telephone consultation with your solicitor to include the giving of preliminary advice;
  • A meeting with your solicitor at our office if required, at which we will consider the prosecution evidence, any other evidence, take your instructions and provide advice;
  • First hearing at court when not guilty plea is entered and case adjourned for approximately 8 weeks;
  • Trial preparation;
  • The trial and any sentencing hearing.

Please note these fees apply to cases heard at Lincoln, Boston, Nottingham and Mansfield Magistrates Courts only.  Other courts will incur additional costs and travelling expenses – please contact us for a quote.

Meet The Team

Our Motoring Offences Team will assist you with your matter. The Motoring Offences Team is headed by Christopher Hogg, who will supervise the fee earners who work on your matter.

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