basic fee £600 plus VAT
Fee includes:
- 2 hours attendance/preparation:
- considering evidence
- taking your instructions
- providing advice on likely sentence
- Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court (2 hours at Court)
The fee does not include:
- Travel time, waiting time (both at standard hourly rates of approximately £150 – £200 plus VAT per hour) and travel costs (50p/mile)
- Instruction of any expert witnesses
- Taking statements from any witnesses
- Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing
- Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal
The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you will enter a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing.
- Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened.
- We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice.
- Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost, of approximately 2 hours per person at our standard rates).
- We will 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.
- We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have.
- We cannot provide a timescale of when 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 anticipate being at court for half a day.
- We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
Sentencing Guidelines:
Drink Driving:
- Maximum: Level 5 fine and/or 6 months custody.
- Must endorse and disqualify for at least 12 months.
- Must disqualify for at least 2 years if the offender has had 2 or more disqualifications for periods of 56 days or more in the preceding 3 years.
- Must disqualify for at least 3 years if the offender has been convicted of a relevant offence in preceding 10 years.
Drug Driving:
- Maximum: Level 5 fine and/or 6 months custody.
- Must endorse and disqualify for at least 12 months.
- Must disqualify for at least 2 years if the offender has had 2 or more disqualifications for periods of 56 days or more in the preceding 3 years.
- Must disqualify for at least 3 years if the offender has been convicted of a relevant offence in preceding 10 years.
Excess Alcohol in Charge
- Maximum: Level 4 fine and/ or 3 months
- Must endorse and may disqualify. If no disqualification, impose 10 points
- Extend any disqualification if imposing immediate custody
Failure to Provide a Specimen
- Maximum: Level 5 fine and/or 6 months custody.
- Must endorse and disqualify for at least 12 months.
- Must disqualify for at least 2 years if offender has had 2 or more disqualifications for periods of 56 days or more in the preceding 3 years.
- Must disqualify for at least 3 years if the offender has been convicted of a relevant offence in preceding 10 years.
Unfit through drink or drugs (drive/ attempt to drive)
- Maximum: Unlimited fine and/or 6 months custody
Unfit through drink or drugs (in charge)
- Maximum: Level 4 fine and/ or 3 months in custody