The cost of our services for bringing and defending road traffic issues:

Depending upon the complexity of the offence that you are facing, you may be eligible for Legal Aid known as a Right to Legal Representation and we will carry out a means test to assist in assessing whether you are eligible for Legal Aid

You may not at the time of instructing us have had an interview at a Police Station concerning the potential offence that you are facing, in which case we are able to provide you with advice at a Police Station free of charge under our Criminal Contract with the Legal Aid Agency.  This is whatever your status in life may be.

 It is important to appreciate that each case is different. Please call us on 01425 471424 and we will give you an estimate or a fixed fee based on the circumstances of your individual case.

 The example below is in relation to certain offences where you entered a Guilty plea. There will be a fixed fee from £950 to £1,350 plus VAT at 20%. The fee includes:

• 2 hours attendance and preparation
  
• Considering the evidence from the Crown Prosecution Service
• Taking your Instructions
• Providing advice on likely sentence
• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at a local Magistrates’ Court (Southampton, Poole or Salisbury).
• The fixed fee may vary depending upon the location of the Court.

 The fee does not include:-

• Instruction of any expert witness
• Taking statements from any witnesses
• Advice and assistance in relation to a Special Reasons Hearing and Exceptional Hardship Hearing
• Advice and assistance in relation to any Appeal

POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL THIRD PARTY EXPENSES SOMETIMES KNOWN AS DISBURSEMENTS

The following out of pocket expenses may be incurred in relation to you case. This is not an exhaustive list and may not necessary be appropriate to your particular case:-

Instructions to a Barrister for your trial if it is considered necessary

Potential fees between £500 and £1000 plus VAT at 20% depending upon the complexity of your case.

Medical Report Fees of between £55 and £200 plus VAT at 20%

Accident Reconstruction Expert Report between £2000 and £3,500 plus VAT at 20% - there would be an additional fee if it is necessary for the Expert to attend Court, such fee to be agreed with you

Expert advice in relation to alcohol/drug use and in particular challenging a BACK calculation if presented by the CPS – fee approximately £1250-1650 plus VAT at 20%

Preparation of a detailed Survey Plan of the scene of any road traffic accident/motoring offence - estimated at £750-1250 plus VAT at 20%

The appropriate stages in your motoring matter are on the basis on you being in a position to enter a Guilty plea and for your Hearing. You will then meet with Michael Stocken to provide instructions on what happened.

 He will consider the initial disclosure from the CPS and any other evidence and provide advice.

Witness Statements

Arranging to take any Witness Statements (if necessary) – this is at an additional cost and will be charged out at £270 plus VAT at 20% per hour. He will explain the Court procedure to you so that you know what to expect on the day of your hearing, and the sentence options available to the Court following the Sentencing Guidelines.

 Preparatory Work

• We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any further enquiries that you have.
• We cannot provide you with the length of your Hearing. This will depend on Court listings on the day.
• We will attend Court and meet with you before going before the Court.
• Our estimate of costs anticipates being at Court either in the morning or in the afternoon, and not both.

Serious Motoring Offences

A serious motoring matter where the Court is considering obtaining Pre-Sentence Reports from Probation or your case is sent to the Crown Court for sentence, then there will be additional costs incurred on either representing you at a Sentencing Hearing before the Magistrates or alternatively dealing with your representation before the Crown Court, in which case we will provide you an estimate of the additional costs you are likely to face on a fixed fee basis.

Your representation in relation to a motoring offence will be conducted by Michael Stocken of this firm who is over 40 years qualified and is a longstanding Member of the Criminal Law Panel of The Law Society and is an experienced Criminal Solicitor who represents clients on a regular basis before the Magistrates’ Court as well as assisting clients on initial interviews at Police Stations.