COSTS AND SERVICE INFORMATION

Summary Motoring offences

Summary motoring offences can only be dealt with at the Magistrates’ Court. Certain cases may be dealt with through the Single Justice Procedure but if disqualification is being considered or if you plead not guilty a Magistrates’ Court will be required to hear your case.

Legal Aid is not generally available for these types of cases. Our fees for dealing with these cases can vary, depending on whether a guilty or not guilty plea is entered, and the number of hearings involved. Summary motoring offences can include, drink and drug driving, speeding, no insurance, failing to provide driver details, driving without due care and attention, using a mobile phone whilst driving and failure to provide a specimen.

The majority of motoring offences are concluded within the first court hearing, which is usually within one month of receiving the postal requisition to attend court. When a not guilty plea is entered, the case will be adjourned for trial which will usually be listed within three months of the first court date.

Who will undertake the work?

Motoring matters will be dealt with by one of our experienced solicitors.

More information regarding our team, including their qualifications and experience can be found our Team page.

All employees of Shelley & Co are supervised by a partner.

We are proud to hold a Specialist Quality Mark, which ensures we maintain the highest levels of client care and quality in relation to legal practice management standards.

Our range of fixed fees

Generally, we aim to conduct summary motoring offences on a fixed fee basis as follows:

  • For a guilty plea summary offence such as drink driving our fixed fee is £500 plus VAT. This assumes the case is dealt with in one hearing.
  • For a guilty plea speeding offence where the case does not fall under the Court’s totting up procedure our fixed fee is also £400 plus VAT.
  • For an exceptional hardship argument/special reason hearing our fixed fee is £600 plus VAT.
  • For a trial in relation to a summary motor offence, to include preparation leading up to and including the trial, our prices start at £1,000 plus VAT.
  • For advice on appeal in the magistrates court our fixed fee is £150 plus VAT. To conduct an appeal our fixed rate is typically £1,000 plus VAT, however, our prices our case specific.

Please call our head-office on 01223 359441 to discuss our fees further with a member of our team who will be happy to assist with your enquiry or email us at shelley@shelleyandco.org.uk

What does the fixed fee include?

Based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing;

  • All telephone calls, letters and emails
  • Attendance upon you at our offices or other agreed location to take your instructions
  • Considering evidence
  • Advice in respect of the strength of the case
  • Providing advice on plea and likely sentence
  • Representation at court on the day your case is listed

The fixed fee does not include:

Based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing;

  • Instruction of any expert witnesses. The price of an expert would be dependent on the case and quoted directly by the expert instructed
  • Travel expenses such as mileage. We charge mileage at 45 pence per mile which is subject to VAT at 20%

Our hourly charging rates

Our fixed hourly rates for all fee-earners are detailed as follows;

  • Partners – £250.00 per hour plus VAT
  • Solicitors – £200.00 per hour plus VAT
  • Trainee Solicitors – £100.00 per hour plus VAT

We will provide an estimate as to how many hours work is required to conduct and prepare for your case based on our experience of previous similar cases. VAT is charged at 20%.

Key stages of your case

The key stages of your matter are usually as follows:

  • Initial meeting with your solicitor in the office when we will take your instructions on what happened
  • We will consider the evidence and provide you with legal advice
  • We will explain the court procedure to you and advise you what to expect
  • We will discuss the sentencing options available to the court
  • We will complete any preparatory work ahead of the hearing
  • We will answer any follow up queries you have.
  • We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
  • We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court. We will anticipate being at court approximately 30 minutes before your hearing.
  • We will discuss the outcome with you and advise you on the merits of an appeal.

Our Motoring Law Specialists:

Our following advocates have vast experience in motoring law :

  • Mark Shelley
  • Jacqui Appleton
  • Simon Rice
  • Nick Symonds
  • Jessica Dent
  • Charlotte Wilson-Holliday
  • Sam Chapman
  • Torell Hector                                   To view their profiles, please look at our Team page.

MEET OUR TEAM

The Shelley & Co team is made up of eight experienced and talented lawyers who between them undertake police station, Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court work.

Mark Shelley
Senior Partner
Jacqui Appleton
Partner
Simon Rice
Partner
Nick Symonds
Partner