Our Fees

Introduction

As part of our professional rules, we aim to ensure that anyone wishing to use our services has the information they need to make an informed choice of legal services provided including understanding what the costs may be.

Guilty Plea, single hearing, summary only matters (see note 1)

We would normally conduct this work on a fixed fee basis so that you may be clear as to the total cost of our service to you. Each matter is different and it may not be possible to operate within a fixed fee on some matters. In the case of the latter, we would undertake the work on an hourly rate basis with an estimate of the time involved. Our hourly rates can range from £216 to £360 per hour (inclusive of VAT) according to the grade of lawyer assigned to your matter. As a guide, we have provided an indication of ours costs below:

Not-Guilty Plea

Where possible, we will conduct this work on a fixed fee basis. Each matter is different and it may not be possible to operate within a fixed fee on some matters. In the case of the latter, we would undertake the work on an hourly rate basis with an estimate of the time involved. Our hourly rates can range from £216 to £360 per hour (inclusive of VAT) according to the grade of lawyer assigned to your matter. As a guide, we have provided an indication of ours costs below:

What is included?

• Initial discussion with yourself to obtain instructions;
• Consideration of evidence and documents from Prosecution, Courts and third parties;
• Ongoing contact with yourself and any relevant third parties with regard to the preparation of the case;
• Ongoing advice with regard to the progress of your case, court procedures and likely sentence;
• Where representation is to be provided:
  • Attendance and representation at Court;
  • Travelling to and from a local Court.
• Concluding advice with regard to the outcome of the case and any appeal, if appropriate.

What is not included?

• Instruction of any expert witnesses;
• Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal;
• Any other external costs or disbursements.

Key stages involved

The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing. They typically include:

• Meet with you to provide instructions on what happened;
• Consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice;
• Arranging to take any witness statements. This would be charged as an addition to the fees quoted above on an hourly rates basis at the charging rates set out earlier;
• Explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the Court;
• Conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you, if necessary, and answer any follow up queries you have;
• Attend court on the day, meet with you before going before the court. We anticipate being at court for half a day.
• Discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

On not guilty matters, the first hearing will involve case management where the Court will consider a number of issues including witness requirements, expert witnesses, the legal issues involved, how long the trial will take, and other issues. Your case will then be adjourned for trial. After the first hearing we can advise and assist you in preparing for the trial.

We can attend upon any witnesses and advise you at a further appointment in the office. Our fees ultimately depend on the length of the trial and we will normally charge on the basis of a half-day or full day trial.

How long will my matter take?

Summary-only road traffic cases take between one week and three months to conclude depending on the court listings. For not guilty pleas, a trial might take place within 3-12 weeks from the date of your first hearing but these timescales can vary greatly.

Expert witnesses

Not all matters will require the preparation of an expert report. However, where this is required, we will advise on the choice of a suitably-qualified expert and obtain a quotation. Typically, experts may be called to conduct alcohol back calculations, lung function tests and drug calculations, for example. Expert fees will be charged additional to our fees referred to earlier. We expect you to make a payment on account in advance of us instructing an expert.  These reports typically range between £240 – £960 including VAT but can be considerably more in certain circumstances.

Notes

1. A summary only offence is an offence which can only be tried in the magistrates’ court. There are exceptions. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (CJA 1988) offences specified in the Act can be tried on indictment by a jury if they are linked to an offence triable only in the Crown Court. The principal summary-only offences are:

• Driving whilst disqualified;
• Careless and inconsiderate driving;
• Failing to give information as to the identity of the driver;
• Failing to stop or report; and
• Speeding.

2. An exceptional hardship hearing is where the accused has been found or has pleaded guilty and now faces disqualification unless they can persuade the Court that a disqualification would cause them or others exceptional hardship
3. Special Reasons pertain exclusively to situations where the accused has been found or has pled guilty and now faces disqualification unless he/she can persuade the Court that the circumstances of the offence are such that it would be unjust to impose a ban.
4. VAT – where fees are quoted as excluding VAT, this will be added to all bills at the prevailing rate of 20%.

Updated: June 2023

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