We have successfully succeeded in reducing or outright avoiding driving disqualifications for all our clients to date.
We appreciate how traumatic and stressful a criminal charge can be, but our friendly motoring offence solicitors are there with you every step of the way.
We are not a rapid turnover law firm – we use our vast knowledge and work tirelessly for a positive result.
Our discreet motoring offences team represents clients including professionals, business owners, and military personnel. These include motoring offences such as totting up bans or drink-driving offences; no matter the situation, we handle cases with sensitivity and understanding.
Our motoring offence solicitors have developed a speciality in working on motoring offences and have an excellent track record in helping people who have made driving errors to avoid disqualification and prosecution or minimise their penalty, even if guilty of the offence charged.
Once you reach 12 or more penalty points on your licence over a three-year period, you can face what’s known as a ‘totting up’ disqualification, which usually results in a driving ban of at least six months.
As a starting point, the courts must consider disqualifying you. We can advise on how you may be able to avoid losing your licence and can expertly represent you in court. We regularly appear in the magistrates’ courts, successfully arguing that clients should be able to retain their licences.
In some cases, we can argue ‘exceptional hardship’ because being banned would have a significant detrimental effect on a person’s life. This is particularly important for professionals, business owners, and military personnel. In extreme cases, the court can impose a shorter driving ban or be persuaded to overturn the ban altogether.
Being charged with a driving offence may lead to the courts considering disqualifying you. Disqualification periods can last for years and have a serious impact on your life, your business, and those who rely on you – including family, dependents, and even employees.
We understand that a driving licence can be vital, especially for work or caring for others. Even if you admit to the offence, we may be able to help you or your employees avoid this.
Types of motoring offences we help with include:
Speeding
Drink-driving
Dangerous driving
A mobile phone driving offence
Failing to provide the required information to the police
Our motoring offence solicitors will first meet with you (which can be in person, over the phone, or via a media platform - whichever is your preference) to provide expert advice on a likely outcome and explain the court procedure.
Our fees and services include correspondence with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. It then progresses to attendance and representation at the Crown Court or the Magistrates' Court.
This differs from other representations, in which you may only meet your lawyer on the day of your hearing. Our approach ensures we know all about you, and your circumstances, and we aim to put your mind at ease before and during a hearing.
Our experience, attention to detail, and knowledge of the law relating to all motoring offences distinguish us from other firms offering services in this complex field. Having our involvement from an early stage can also increase the likelihood of the prosecution against you being dropped entirely.
Please pick up the phone and speak to us at the earliest opportunity, and we will endeavour to help and put your mind at ease where we can.
Our rates reflect the quality of our service, although they are still highly competitive.
Our motoring offence solicitors are here to represent and look after you, whether you are pleading guilty or not guilty to charges that are being dealt with in the magistrates' court. This can include speeding, driving without insurance, drunk driving, and failing to provide information to the police.
Our total fees will depend on whether you are pleading guilty, advancing arguments to reduce or avoid driving bans, or pleading not guilty.
On average, this type of work takes between two and six hours to complete at an average hourly rate of £300 inclusive of VAT.
This means that on average costs are between £600 and £1,800 inclusive of VAT. The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances of your case.
Such as:
Whether you are also raising legal arguments to avoid or reduce driving disqualification sentences and fines
Complex evidential or legal issues
Expert evidence is needed
If a barrister is needed to advise and/or represent you
*VAT is currently charged at 20%
On average this type of work takes between four and ten hours to complete at an average hourly rate of £300 inclusive of VAT.
This means that on average costs are between £1,200 and £3,000, inclusive of VAT. The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances of your case. Such as:
Complex legal or evidential issues
Length of trial
Number of defence witnesses being called
Expert evidence is needed
If a barrister is needed to advise and/or represent you
*VAT is currently charged at 20%
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties for obtaining specialist reports or services necessary to support your defence.
This could include reports from experts, such as medical professionals, forensic scientists, engineers, barristers and other experts whose expertise is needed to build your case.
We have set out below an estimate of these costs:
Barrister’s fee for advice or representation: if we need to instruct a barrister, we estimate that their fees will be between £600 - £1,800 inclusive of VAT. This will depend upon their experience and the number of hearings that they are instructed to attend.
Expert’s fee: £500 to £1,500 inclusive of VAT per report. The cost will vary depending on the type and complexity of the report.
Mileage and travel expenses if we are to attend court with you: 45p per mile and parking expenses, inclusive of VAT.
*VAT is currently charged at 20%
We’re always there for you. Why not call us today for an informal chat about your motoring offence?
The process of a motoring offence claim depends on whether you have yet received an initial court hearing date or not.
We can provide you with advice at any stage, even before you or your business receives an initial court hearing date, including any police station representation. We can then provide advice throughout the matter, including representing you at hearings or just at certain stages.
Each case (and therefore the procedure in each case) can slightly differ. Please contact us to discuss the likely procedure of your specific case and how we can help you.
On the assumption that you have already received the initial court date, ordinarily, we will meet with you to advise you on the evidence in the case and the legal position.
We will take any necessary witness statements for you, and then liaise with the police and/or Crown Prosecution Service for you if necessary.
If you are pleading guilty, then there is usually only one hearing at the magistrate’s court listed to enter your plea and to make such representations as to reduce your sentence - including the possibility of avoiding driving bans entirely!
If you are pleading not guilty, then the initial hearing is ordinarily used to enter your not guilty plea and to set out the next steps prior to a later listed trial date - which usually takes around six months.
We help clients nip problems in the bud and resolve their motoring offence issues every day.
Here are the most common questions we receive in regard to motoring law cases.
You don’t have to instruct a solicitor, however, like anything, it’s best to seek advice from professionals. They could help you keep your driving licence or avoid prison sentences!
This entirely depends on the offence and your circumstances. Generally, cases reach a court hearing within four to six months of the offence.
Examples colloquially known as ‘minor’ motoring offences include low-level speeding, failing to prove a valid MOT test or insurance certificate, and driving otherwise in accordance with a correct licence. That being said, Magistrates do take all offences seriously.
Generally, you have to be notified within 14 days of a speeding offence.
Submit an enquiry and one of our team of experts will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
Or call the motoring offence team on 01482 398372