Motoring Offence Fees

Charges for advice and representation in road traffic cases.

Initial advice and straightforward guilty pleas

An initial consultation starts at £325 excluding VAT (£390 including VAT at 20%), depending on who advises you and the time required. This charge may be included in an agreed hearing fee.

A straightforward guilty plea for drink driving, drug driving or speeding may cost around £1,800 excluding VAT (£2,160 including VAT). This normally covers preparation, considering evidence, taking instructions, advice on procedure and sentence, and representation at the Magistrates’ Court.

Other cases

Not-guilty cases: £2,000–£10,000 excluding VAT (£2,400–£12,000 including VAT), depending on length and complexity.
Exceptional hardship arguments: normally around £2,000 excluding VAT (£2,400 including VAT), subject to the circumstances.
Where time-based charging applies: approximately £325–£500 per hour excluding VAT (£390–£600 including VAT). A guilty plea of this type may involve six to ten hours of work.

Additional work and expenses

Further hearings, Newton hearings, appeals, Crown Court proceedings and work outside the agreed scope incur additional charges. Taking witness statements may add approximately £500 excluding VAT (£600 including VAT). Medical evidence, counsel where instructed, travel and overnight accommodation may involve separate costs. We discuss these before committing to additional charges.

Key stages

Initial instructions and advice on the allegation and plea.
Reviewing available disclosure and other evidence.
Preparing the case, considering statements and explaining the court procedure.
Attendance at court, representation and advice on the outcome.

Timescales

Preparation depends on the evidence and the hearing date. For a straightforward guilty plea we anticipate attendance at court for up to half a day, although listings can overrun or require a return visit. Appeal advice that can be given on the hearing day is included in that attendance; further analysis or proceedings are charged separately.