The information below is to provide details of our fees for Summary only motoring offences such as Speeding, Failing to Provide the Identity of a driver, No Insurance, Drink Drive, Drug Drive, Driving whilst disqualified and Due Care. We will be happy to assist you in identifying whether you are charged with a summary only motoring offence.
We can provide you with advice and representation throughout the Court process or for part of the process.
At our first appointment we can obtain your initial instructions and discuss the offence/offences that you are charged with. We can discuss the elements that the Prosecution have to prove. We can discuss the sentencing powers of the Court and any applicable sentencing guidelines. We can discuss your options together with case management issues. However, we will need to see the prosecution evidence before providing advice on plea.
The initial appointment at this office is £195 + VAT of £39 = £234.
Cases can start by way of Summons, Postal Requisition or being charged by the Police. Whichever of those three documents you receive, it will identify the first listing of your case. At that first listing the Court will expect you to enter a Plea.
- In the event that you enter a Guilty plea then your case may conclude at that first hearing. The Court may sentence you at that first hearing. We have set out below our fixed fee quotation for the first hearing. If your case were to be adjourned for sentence then we will charge you a further standard fee for any subsequent attendance for sentence. We have set out our quotations for the usual Magistrates’ Courts that we cover.
- In the event that you enter a Not Guilty plea then your case will be adjourned for trial. The Court at that first hearing will “case manage” your case. When a Court “case manages” a case, it will want to consider a number of issues including – Which witnesses are required for trial, are there defence witnesses, are there expert witnesses, what are the legal issues, how long the trial will take, and other case management issues. A form has to be completed which sets out your case. We will assist you with that process. Your case will 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. We estimate 5 hours preparation for trial (which is set out below). The Court will set aside time for your trial. Our fee for the trial depends on its length. In the event that your trial is set down for 3 hours or less then we charge for a half day trial. If your trial is set for over 3 hours then we charge a full day trial fee.
First hearing.
At the first hearing we will advise you upon the evidence served, we will provide advice in relation to plea and likely sentence and advice on the options available to the court in relation to sentencing. We will advise on whether an exceptional hardship, or special reasons argument should be made. We will conduct the advocacy for you at the hearing.
Our standard fee for attending the following Courts for first hearing are as follows:
| Cardiff Magistrates’ Court | £425 + VAT of £85 = £510 |
| Newport Magistrates’ Court | £475 + VAT of £95 = £570 |
| Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court | £485 + VAT of £97 = £582 |
| Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court | £515 + VAT of £103 = £618 |
| Swansea Magistrates’ Court | £515 + VAT of £103 = £618 |
| Llanelli Magistrates’ Court | £515 + VAT of £103 = £618 |
| Bristol Magistrates’ Court | £550 + VAT of £110 = £660 |
| Bath Magistrates’ Court | £650 + VAT of £130 = £780 |
| Gloucester Magistrates’ Court | £650 + VAT of £130 = £780 |
Our likely fees for preparing for trial. On average is at least 5 hours. This can include attending upon you and any witnesses. Advising you on any further evidence. We will explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your trial. We will check the unused material and prepare speeches and cross examination for your trial.
5 hours at £150 +VAT of £30 = £180 per hour
TOTAL £750 + VAT of £150 = £900
In addition, our likely fees for attending a trial for half a day.
| Cardiff Magistrates’ Court | £550 + VAT of £110 = £660 |
| Newport Magistrates’ Court | £575 + VAT of £115 = £690 |
| Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court | £575 + VAT of £115 = £690 |
| Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court | £590 + VAT of £118 = £708 |
| Swansea Magistrates’ Court | £650 + VAT of £130 = £780 |
| Llanelli Magistrates’ Court | £650 + VAT of £130 = £780 |
| Bristol Magistrates’ Court | £650 + VAT of £130 = £780 |
| Bath Magistrates’ Court | £700 + VAT of £140 = £840 |
| Gloucester Magistrates’ Court | £700 + VAT of £140 = £840 |
Or, our likely fee for a full day trial
| Cardiff Magistrates’ Court | £800 + VAT of £160 = £960 |
| Newport Magistrates’ Court | £875 + VAT of £175 = £1050 |
| Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court | £875 + VAT of £175 = £1050 |
| Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court | £890 + VAT of £178 = £1068 |
| Swansea Magistrates’ Court | £950 + VAT of £190 = £1068 |
| Llanelli Magistrates’ Court | £950 + VAT of £190 = £1068 |
| Bristol Magistrates’ Court | £950 + VAT of £190 = £1068 |
| Bath Magistrates’ Court | £1000 + VAT of £200 = £1200 |
| Gloucester Magistrates’ Court | £1000 + VAT of £200 = £1200 |
Expert reports.
Not all cases require an expert report. We maintain a panel of experts. Quotations will be obtained when required. We cannot set out the precise costs of an expert as they can vary depending on the facts of a particular case and how much work is required. Experts may be required to report upon -Blood Alcohol back calculation – Lung function test – Assessment of drug calculation. Client’s will be expected to make a payment on account in advance of instructing an expert. To provide you with assistance as to likely costs, a guide to an average fee is as follows: Alcohol back calculation £150+ VAT of £30 Total £180 – Lung function test Total £680- Assessment of drug calculation £510 + VAT of £102 Total £612. If you require a blood sample to be retested then we will need to obtain a quotation for you as there are different fees for different drugs and/or combinations of drugs.
EXAMPLES
Example 1. A Guilty plea is entered at the first hearing in Newport Magistrates’ Court to an offence of Drink Drive. The case concludes at the first hearing with the Court proceeding to sentence at that first hearing.
Our Fee would be –
- The first appointment of £195+ VAT of £39 = £234 and,
- Our standard fee for a first hearing in Newport Magistrates’ Court of £475 + VAT of £95 = £570
Our total would be £670 + VAT of £134 = £804
Example 2. A Not Guilty plea is entered at the first hearing in the Cardiff Magistrates’ Court to Driving whilst Disqualified. The case is adjourned for a half day trial at a later date in Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.
Our Fee would be –
- The first appointment of £195+ VAT of £39 = £234 and,
- Our standard fee for a first hearing in the Cardiff Magistrates’ Court of £425 + VAT of £85 = £510 and,
- Five Hours preparation for trial (5 hours at £150 +VAT of £30 = £180 per hour) which is £750 + VAT of £150 = £900
- Our half day trial fee in the Cardiff Magistrates’ Court £550 + VAT of £110 = £660.
Our total would be £1920 + VAT of £384 = £2304.
How Long will the process take?
A trial may take place within 3-12 weeks from the date of your first hearing.
Who will be responsible for the preparation of my case?
Here is a link to our Crime team page.
Appeals.
We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.