Road Traffic & Driving Offences

We have extensive experience in successfully defending clients facing penalty points, driving bans, large fines and possible imprisonment. If you have been accused of a driving offence, such as drink driving, speeding, careless driving, dangerous driving or driving without insurance we can help you.

Some offences (those alleging dangerous driving or involving a death or serious injury) may have to go to the Crown Court, but the vast majority of driving and road traffic offences (e.g. speeding, careless or inconsiderate driving, drink driving, failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis, failing to stop after an accident, driving while disqualified or driving without insurance) can only be dealt with in a magistrates court. Whatever the offence you may be facing we can advise and represent you.

We offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation with a road traffic solicitor, in order to discuss your case and how we can help you.

Costs information

Solicitors must provide information about their costs for providing advice and representation at a magistrates court for road traffic offences dealt with at a single hearing. Every client is different and the work required in preparing any given case will depend on a number of factors, including:

• The nature and number of alleged offences
• The plea(s) to be entered
• The circumstances of the alleged offence
• The circumstances of the client
• Whether witnesses will be required
• Whether expert reports may be needed
• The driving record of the client and any penalty points to be taken into account

We offer a range of fixed fees, based on our assessment of the complexity of your case following our initial consultation

Fees

Low complexity – £750 plus VAT (£900)
Medium complexity – £1,000 plus VAT (£1,200)
High complexity – £1,250 plus VAT (£1,500)

All prices are correct at the time of publication – March 2023

Our fixed fees assume you have either pleaded guilty already or intend to plead guilty and have a date to attend a magistrates court in Kent or East Sussex. They do not apply to any of the more serious offences which could be dealt with at the Crown Court. Nor do they apply if you intend to plead not guilty, as a trial will be required.

Each fixed fee covers preparation (estimated at 1 hour in a low-level case, 2 hours in a medium-level case and 3 hours in a high-level case) and attendance at court on one occasion.

The key stages of your matter will be:

• Considering the prosecution papers when available
• Taking your instructions, either face-to-face at our offices or over the telephone
• Advising you as to plea, likely sentence and how to prepare for the hearing
• Attending court to represent you at the hearing.

The fixed fees do not include:

• Attendance at further hearings (e.g. if witnesses are required to attend court, or where sentencing is adjourned for any reason)
• Taking statements from witnesses (unless carried out within the preparation time specified)
• Obtaining medical records or expert reports
• Advice and assistance on appeal

Any additional costs would be agreed with you in advance.

For road traffic cases falling outside the fixed fees set out above, we would always provide you with a realistic costs estimate at the outset and discuss the funding options with you.

Please note that we act only for privately funded clients and are unable to offer legal aid representation.