Defence Services: Road Traffic Representation

 

This area of law can cover the most trivial of transgressions of the Road Traffic Acts, right up to offences where lives are lost and the courts will treat matters with the appropriate degree of seriousness. To most motorists, the real fear is the loss of a driving licence for whatever period, either by outright disqualification or under the totting up provisions:-

12 penalty points acquired can have you back on the bus.

The law does allow people to keep your licence with 12 penalty points or more but only certain circumstances of exceptional hardship. The court needs persuading that the driver or others will experience such difficulties and this is what we can do.

The courts also can be asked to find special reasons not to disqualify or endorse your licence - ask us how could this apply to you?

Frequently asked questions that we are asked to deal with include:-

  • They say I've been speeding, can I challenge this?
  • Will I lose my licence?
  • Can I get my licence back?
  • If I can't drive, how will my family cope?
  • I'm a new driver, help!
  • What about my job?

 The best advice for all of us though is to drive carefully in the first place and turn that mobile off.

 

In accordance with SRA Transparency rules:

If it is appropriate to plead guilty to a summary only Road Traffic offence and the case can be dealt with at a single hearing then much time and effort can be saved, In such situations we would charge a fixed rate of £850.00 plus VAT of £170.00.
This fee would include: 2.5 hours attendance /preparation to consider the case against you, take your instructions, advise on the law, procedure, the likely outcome and answer any queries you might raise. Also we would attend and represent you at a single hearing in the Magistrates court and discuss the outcome thereafter. 

The fee would not include: 

  • Taking statements from witnesses.
  • Instructing experts.
  • Considering appeals

The key stages will be based on the presumption that you have or will enter a guilty plea and the matter will be dealt with on a single court appearance.

The timescale of the case will depend on the court listing that day over which we have no control. Usually half a day is sensible to expect but it is often wise to be ready for longer.

If your case demands additional work to be undertaken this is likely to incur extra cost which we will discuss with you before it is pursued and then only with your instruction.

Our private rates are calculated at National Grade 2 due to our location.  The Partners are Senior Solicitors with more than 8 years post qualification experience with a general hourly rate of £210.00 plus VAT.  Work is calculated in 6 minute units and a standard letter or telephone call is charged as one 6 minute unit. 


Please feel free to contact us at anytime by email or using our 24 hr helpline: 0161 763 1066