Charges - Motoring Offences

Service Information and Prices 

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 Kenneth M Barrow & Co Solicitors  

From our offices located in Seaham, County Durham, Kenneth M Barrow & Co Solicitors provides the very best advice and representation in Criminal Legal Aid and privately-funded matters. We understand how important your driving licence is. Most of our clients rely upon their ability to drive, whether it’s for work, business, family or pleasure. We also understand the stress and worry caused by driving offences and how often a criminal conviction can end up in the loss of your job, business, reputation and the strain it places on relationships. 

We have a vast amount of experience in successfully defending individuals who are facing these charges. We’re here to pick up the pieces, take the worry off your hands and explain everything to you, including the possible outcomes and advise you at each stage of the process. 

Basis of our Charges 

We try to work on a fixed fee basis for most motoring offences. The amount of fixed fee we charge can vary based on a number of factors, however, we can estimate that matters for a typical guilty plea can range from between £250 to £1000 plus VAT (£300 to £1200 incl. VAT).   

The fixed fee includes: 

• Considering evidence; 
• Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence; 
• Where you cannot anticipate the likely sentence, advice on the options available to the court in relation to sentencing; 
• Where appropriate, advice on whether an exceptional hardship, or special reasons argument should be made; and 
• Representation at a single hearing 

The fixed fee would not normally include: 

• Sourcing expert reports 
• Taking statements from, and examination of witnessess
• Advising on an appeal 

As an indication of our charges, we have provided an example below. 

Example: Motoring offence, summary only (see note), guilty plea  

Our Fees 

We would normally conduct this work on a fixed fee basis. Each case is different and we will provide you with a quotation tailored to your requirements. As a guide, we have provided an indication of ours costs below: 

Our fees (from) £350.00 

VAT on above at 20% £70.00 

Totals costs (from) £420.00 

The above represent the starting fees for this type of work and there may be additional factors in your case that increase the fees such as if we identify a need to instruct expert witnesses.  

Our fee includes: 

• Two hours attendance/preparation: 
• Considering evidence 

• Taking your instructions 
• Providing advice on likely sentence 
• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court (based on a court within a 25 mile radius of our office). 

The fee does not include: 

• Instruction of any expert witnesses; 
• Taking statements from any witnesses; 
• Advice and assistance in relation to a Special Reasons or Exceptional Hardship hearing (see notes below); 
• Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal. 

Key stages involved 

The key stages outlined below are based on the presumption that you have entered a guilty plea and have a date for your hearing: 

• Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened. 
• We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice. 
• Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary. This will normally be charged on an hourly rates basis as an additional cost. Please see the section below on hourly rates matters for an indication of our rates. 
• We will 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. 
• We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and 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 discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost. 

Hourly Rate Matters 

If you wish to instruct us on an hourly rate basis, our fee ranges from £150 to £350 per hour (£180 to £420 incl. VAT); this depends on who deals with your matter, how complex, time estimate and location. This would not be inclusive of travel, mileage or disbursements, which may include expert reports. We would need to assess your case before we are able to give a more accurate time and cost estimate. 

Expert witnesses 

Not all matters will require the preparation of an expert report. However, where this is required, we will advise on the choice of a suitably-qualified expert and obtain a quotation. Typically, experts may be called to conduct alcohol back calculations, lung function tests and drug calculations, for example. Expert fees will be charged additional to our fees referred to earlier. We expect client to make a payment on account in advance of us instructing an expert.  These reports typically range between £200-£800 (£240-£960 incl. VAT) but can be considerably more in certain circumstances. 

How long will my case take? 

It is very difficult to provide a precise timescale of when your hearing will take place. Summary-only road traffic cases take between one week and three months to conclude depending on the court listings. For not guilty pleas, a trial might take place within 3-12 weeks from the date of your first hearing but these timescales can vary greatly. 

Our Motoring Offences Team 

Head of Crime: Kenneth M Barrow

Kye Rowland 

Please refer to the above links for an outline of their skills, knowledge and experience