Price and Service Information: Motoring Offences

Introduction

As part of our professional rules, we aim to ensure that anyone wishing to use our services has the information they need to make an informed choice of legal services provider, including understanding what the costs may be.

Why instruct RH Law Solicitors?

We are a well-established and highly regarded specialist criminal defence law firm.We primarily defend those charged with grave, serious and complex offences before the Crown Court. We have a long record of successfully defending complex prosecutions involving homicide, serious violence, drugs, firearms, terrorism, high value fraud and people trafficking. We are often instructed in multi-handed cases and regularly represent those allegedly involved in OCG or gang activities.

We represent both legally aided clients and those who are privately funded.Unfortunately, due to cuts in funding by successive governments, there will be some cases in which we will only be able to accept instructions on a privately funded basis.We will happily discuss the availability of funding with you.We strive to ensure all our clients have expert assistance at the point of arrest, at the Magistrates’ and in Crown Court as well as before the appellate courts.

We are conveniently located in Manchester City Centre, close to all major transport hubs and court centres.We pride ourselves on approaching our to clients in a professional, yet friendly andnon-judgemental manner.Our clients are made to feel welcome but also confident that their legal issues are dealt with in a manner that both expedient and competent. We strive to be as accessible as possible to our client.We can offer appointments outside normal working hours and over Teams or Zoom.For those detained at the police stations and requiring advice and assistance, we are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Our Motoring Offences Team

Road traffic offences are often complex and those facing such charges would almost always benefit from professional legal representation.Many offences can lead to penalty points being endorsed on your licence or even the imposition of a period of disqualification.More serious offences can be sent to the Crown Court to be dealt with and can attract custodial sentences. We can assist you if you have been charged or summoned in respect of a road traffic offence.

Simon Harrison is the managing partner with over 25 years of experience of defending those facing investigation or prosecution for road traffic offences.He is a capable advocate who holds higher rights of audience.He leads a team of experienced lawyers who will be happy to assist you should you need assistance in this area of law.

Our hourly rates:

Description

Hourly rate

+ VAT

Directors, consultants and Solicitors with over 4 years’ experience

£400

20% £80

Other Solicitors and Legal Executives (FCILEX)

£300

20% £60

Trainee Solicitors, Paralegals and other fee earners/caseworkers

£200

20% £40

Motoring offence, summary only¹, Guilty Plea

Our Fees

Fixed Fee: Range from £1000 + vat at 20%, (which equates to £200 and a total cost of £1200) to £2000 + vat at 20%. (which equates to £400 and a total cost of £2400).

What is included?

• Attendance and/or preparation;
• Considering evidence;
• Taking your instructions;
• Providing advice on likely sentence;
• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court.

What is not included?

• Instruction of any expert witnesses;
• Taking statements from any witnesses;
• Advice and assistance in relation to a Special Reasons² or exceptional hardship hearing³;
• Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal.

Key stages involved

The key stages of your matter are based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing. They typically include:

• Meet with you to provide instructions on what happened;
• Consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice;
• Arranging to take any witness statements. This would be charged on an hourly rates basis at the charging rates set out in the table below;
• Explain the court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentencing options available to the Court;
• Conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you, if necessary, and answer any follow up queries you have;
• Attend court on the day, meet with you before going before the court. We anticipate being at court for half a day.
• Discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Not Guilty Pleas and Trial and other hearings

• Full Day Trial at the Magistrates’ Court will range from£2500 plus vat at 20%, (which equates to £500; a total of £3000) to £5000 plus vat at 20%, (which equates to £1000 and a total cost of £6000 (this depends on the location of the court, the complexity of the case, the number of charges faced and includes all the preparatory work attendances upon and witnesses and attendance at Court).

• Half Day Trial, Special Reasons or Exceptional Hardship hearing at the Magistrates’ Courtwill range from£1750 plus vat at 20%, (which equates to £300; a total of £2100) to £2500 plus vat at 20%, (which equates to £500 and a total cost of £3000 (this depends on the location of the court, the complexity of the case, the number of charges faced and includes all the preparatory work attendances upon and witnesses and attendance at Court).

Please note we cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.

Notes

1. A summary only offence is an offence which can only be tried in the magistrates' court. There are exceptions. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (CJA 1988) offences specified in the Act can be tried on indictment by a jury if they are linked to an offence triable only in the Crown Court. The principal summary only offences are:

• driving whilst disqualified
• careless and inconsiderate driving
• failing to give information as to the identity of the driver
• failing to stop or report, and
• speeding.

1. Special Reasons pertain exclusively to situations where the accused has been found or has pled guilty and now faces disqualification unless he/she can persuade the Court that the circumstances of the offence are such that it would be unjust to impose a ban.

1. An exceptional hardship hearing is where the accused has been found or has pled guilty and now faces disqualification unless they can persuade the Court that a disqualification would cause them or others exceptional hardship