What Is Involved in a Typical Case?
The work included in your case will cover:
- Reviewing the charge and the evidence against you.
- Advising you on your prospects of success.
- Providing guidance on the likely sentence if convicted.
- Preparing for trial, including taking witness statements and instructing an expert witness if needed (excluding expert witness fees).
- Engaging in discussions, liaison, and negotiations with the prosecution.
- Representing you at the first hearing, the trial hearing, and completing all pre-trial court questionnaires.
Please note that the following are not included in any fixed fee quote:
- Expert witness fees.
- Work related to recovering costs under a costs order.
- Advice on and handling of any appeal against conviction and/or sentence.
What Factors Might Make Your Case More Complex?
- Cases involving an international element.
- Cases that involve death, serious injury, or significant property damage.
- Cases that require the use of interpreters.
- Cases involving the interpretation of tachograph evidence or complex mechanical defect issues.
- Cases that require the instruction of a motor accident reconstruction expert or similar specialists.
How Much Would a Typical Case Cost?
We charge an hourly rate (currently £300 plus VAT for a typical case) unless we have agreed on a fixed fee with you.
For straightforward cases resolved at the first trial date, the fee may be no more than £2,000 plus VAT. Complex cases may incur significantly higher costs, but we will always strive to agree on fixed costs in advance to provide you with certainty.
Please note that we do not offer Legal Aid, which is rarely available for these cases. If we believe Legal Aid might be an option, we will refer you to an appropriate firm. Defendants who privately fund their case in the Magistrates’ Court can only recover costs if they successfully defend the case. The amount recoverable will be limited to Legal Aid hourly rates, which are significantly lower than the rate you will have paid, typically resulting in a shortfall of approximately 75% of the fees paid.
What Additional Costs Might Arise?
The only additional expense we anticipate is travel costs.
How Long Would a Typical Case Take?
Not guilty cases typically take much longer to resolve than guilty cases. The hearing date will depend on preparation time, the availability of witnesses, and court scheduling. It is not unusual for trials to be scheduled 3 to 6 months after the initial hearing date.
