Motoring Offences – Fees

We offer advice and representation at competitive rates - an important consideration as public funding is rarely available for motoring offences.

We are dedicated to providing clear and transparent pricing for motoring offences cases.

The fees detailed below relate only to minor road traffic offences – these are cases that will be heard only in a Magistrates Court (also known as summary cases). The fees do not include advice on more serious offences which are tried in the Crown Court.

Considering a driving summons – fixed fee

We offer a fixed fee for up to one hour of advice to consider whether a driving summons has been properly issued and provide advice in relation to plea. The fixed fee differs depending upon the seniority of the solicitor and fees range from £180 per hour (plus VAT)* to £350 per hour plus VAT. The fixed fee is applicable to minor offences such as (non-exhaustive list):

  • speeding offences
  • driving using a mobile telephone
  • failing to observe a road sign
  • receipt of a notice of intended prosecution

The fixed fee does not apply to more complex driving offences.

What’s the average cost of a case?

The cost of your case will depend on a number of different factors including the type of offence, if you enter into a guilty plea or your case goes to Trial and the individual circumstances of your case.

Trials and other contested matters

We have a large amount of experience in dealing with summary trials involving motoring offences. In addition, we are also frequently instructed to advise clients on other contested matters such as special reasons or exceptional hardship.

Each case is different, the facts and the amount of work required may vary, so it is impossible to provide an accurate estimate of our costs in every situation. It is important to note that the complexity of the case and the experience of the solicitor instructed will affect our quote. Furthermore, in some cases additional work may be required such as attending the scene, instructing experts or seeing additional witnesses of fact or speaking to character witnesses which will add to the costs of a particular case. It may be that your case is less (or more) complex – so it is always better to discuss options with us as we may be able to agree a lesser fee.

We may also agree to allow payment to be made in stages as the case progresses.

Guilty pleas in court – fixed fee

If you are charged with a minor motoring offence and intend to plead guilty we can offer a fixed fee to represent you in court in some instances.

Offence Trial Guilty plea
Speeding £1,500-£2,000 £750 - £900
Exceptional hardship application N/A £750 - £900
Drink driving – including in-charge and failure to provide a specimen £1,800-£3,000 £750 - £900
Careless driving £1,800-£3,000 £750 - £900
Using a mobile phone whilst driving £1,800-£3,000 £750 - £900
Failure to furnish (provide driver ID) £1,800-£3,000 £750 - £900
Failure to stop (report accident) £1,800-£3,000 £750 - £900
Driving without insurance £1,800-£3,000 £750 - £900
Disqualification £1,800-£3,000 £750 - £900

(VAT is charged in addition at 20%)*

Hourly rates

Our hourly rates range from £180 to £350 (plus vat)* depending on the complexity of your case, the experience of the lawyer and your location. Based on your individual circumstances we’ll advise you on the best option for you.

What’s included?

We’ll quote a fixed fee for your case once we know the circumstance and that fixed fee will cover the costs included in your case from your initial call instructing us to the preparation of the case through to either the trial date or guilty plea, mitigation, court practice and procedure,

How long will my case take?

It will largely depend on the offence and if the case is a guilty plea or is going to trial. The usual timescale for a motoring offence case from when we’re instructed is three to six months. We’re able to give a more accurate timescale on individual cases when we have more details.

Are there any other costs involved?

To ensure the smooth running of your case we handle any additional necessary payments to third parties such as expert fees on your behalf. These payments are called disbursements and will differ on a case by case basis. There may be further costs in obtaining witness statements, drafting grounds of appeal, preparing any appeal and briefing counsel for trial.

We’ll consult you about these costs in advance and they’ll be charged back to you at the end of your case. For further details please call on 0203 488 0155.

Please note that a fixed fee includes attending court for a one day trial or a single sentence hearing only. If for some reason the trial or sentence does not go ahead and is adjourned to another date, that is not included within the fixed fee.

Courts that are over 10 miles away from our office will require more specific estimates to take travel requirements into account.

There are of course always some sentences which are more complex and require further preparation. Such cases will fall outside of the above time estimate and a separate fee estimate can be provided.

* VAT charged as required

Family – Fees

Our hourly rates are very competitive, we also offer fixed fees. Charges are usually based on hourly rates plus administrative charges and disbursements. We will provide you with an initial estimate of your likely legal costs (including any application fees) and will update you as matters progress.

Please call us on 0203 488 0155 for further information.


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The firm is Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA 638874