Motoring offences Costs & Fixed Fees

Fixed Fees for summary only Traffic Offences. (Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 & Sec 89 of the RTA 1984.)

INITIAL FREE CONSULTATION!!!!! – To Assess your Case, including Whether Legal Aid may be available to you and possible Defences and Mitigation if Pleading Guilty.

FEES: ARE ESTIMATES AND ARE SUBJECT TO NEGOTIATION!!!!!

PROFILE – MR COLIN MCEWEN – OWNER/MANAGING DIRECTOR/SOLICITOR OF MACS LEGAL SERVICES LTD

I have a Passion and Reputation for helping people; fighting for them to get the best proven results for clients; looking for every angle to defend my clients and going that extra mile for them.

I have been in the Legal Profession since 1994 and Qualified since 2000, with a wealth of Skills, Knowledge and Experience in dealing with Road Traffic Offences; firstly to look to attempt to get you Acquitted and if not possible, to use every method, including your detailed history, both personal and professional, to get the lowest possible sentence, including, but not limited to, the minimum Endorsement, Penalty Points, avoiding Disqualification where possible.

The Service Offered ranges from a Telephone Conference where your Postal Requisition is discussed to see how complex the matter is, whether Legal Aid may be Available. Your Instructions will be taken to offer my service from Full Representation through to Trial; Writing your Mitigation if you require; Attending Court to Mitigate for you, through to Instructing Experts and Full Representation at Trial.

All cases are dealt with on an individual case by case basis, no two cases being the same. Our pricing is competitive and tailored around the needs of you and facts of the case and we offer a free consultation with payment plans available.

WHY PAY FOR OUR LEGAL ADVICE?

The answer is, you don’t have to! You can take your chances, hoping that you have understood the law correctly and that you do not have any defence(s) and/or that you will be able to Professionally Present your case to the court to minimise your Sentence or put forward appropriate defence(s). Short-term this will save you Solicitors Fees, but you could find you did have a defence, or you were entitled to legal aid or you could have saved money by being Professionally Represented to secure a Not Guilty Verdict, through to Mitigation by way of paying a smaller fine, having a Short Disqualification.

If you are Pleading Guilty, you can represent yourself either by post or at Court, but without strong reasons, not excuses; for committing the offence(s), the Court will listen to the Prosecution Case/Evidence at its highest against you, and are likely to give a higher Sentence due to no or little mitigation even in accordance with appropriate discounts for an Early Guilty Plea.

By seeking legal representation, including a Free Initial Consultation, if Defences are available, they can be identified and Preparations made for Trial, an Assessment and Advice as to possible Legal Aid can be given and Advice and Assistance on how to Maximise your chances of Reducing your Sentence.

ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENCES WE CAN HELP WITH INCLUDE:

1. DEATH BY DANGEROUS DRIVING – LEGAL AID MAY BE AVAILABLE SUBJECT TO FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY AND/OR WHETHER IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE.
2. DANGEROUS DRIVIN – LEGAL AID MAY BE AVAILABLE SUBJECT TO FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY AND/OR WHETHER IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE.
3. DEATH BY CARELESS DRIVING – LEGAL AID MAY BE AVAILABLE SUBJECT TO FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY AND/OR WHETHER IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE.
4. DRIVING WHILST DISQUALIFIED – LEGAL AID MAY BE AVAILABLE SUBJECT TO FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY AND/OR WHETHER IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE.
5. DRIVING WHILST DISQUALIFIED – LEGAL AID MAY BE AVAILABLE SUBJECT TO FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY AND/OR WHETHER IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE.
6. DRINK DRIVING.
7. DRUG DRIVING.
8. SPECIAL REASONS AS TO WHY YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR LICENCE AND NOT BE DISQUALIFIED.
9. EXCEPTIONAL HARDSHIP AS TO WHY YOU SHOULD KEEP YOUR LICENCE AND NOT BE DISQUALIFIED.
10. CARELESS AND INCONSIDERATE DRIVING.
11. TOTTING UP DISQUALIFICATIONS THROUGH 12 PENALTY POINTS.
12. FAILING TO GIVE INFORMATION AS TO THE IDENTITY OF THE DRIVER.
13. FAILING TO STOP AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT AND FAILING TO REPORT AN ACCIDENT.
14. SPEEDING.
15. DRIVING WITHOUT INSURANCE.
16. DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENCE.
17. DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID MOT.
18. DRIVING THROUGH A RED LIGHT.
19. FAILING TO PROVIDE A SPECIMEN OF BREATH AND DRUGS TEST.
20. USING A MOBILE PHONE WHILST DRIVING.
21. NEW DRIVERS – DISQUALIFICATION THROUGH 6 POINTS OR MORE.
22. FAILING TO NOTIFY THE DVLA.
23. DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH THE WRONG LICENCE.
24. APPLICATION TO GET YOUR LICENCE BACK EARLY AFTER DISQUALIFICATION.
25. APPEALING AGAINST CONVICTION AND SENTENCE.
26. NOTICE OF INTENDED PROSECUTIONS (NIPS) – WHERE THE POLICE INTEND TO PROSECUTION YOU. IF IGNORED, THEY CARRY 6 PENALTY POINTS.
27. FREE POLICE STATION INTERVIEWS 24/7.

FREE HALF ADVICE – LEGAL AID AND DEFENCES MAY BE AVAILABLE – CALL 07715 656815

GUILTY PLEA(S) BY POST

For Advice & Assistance on the Prosecution Evidence, including the Assessment of Possible Defences and Legal Aid, Assistance in Completing the Forms and Mitigation; the following Fees Apply:

£100 + VAT = £120 for the First Hour & £50 + VAT/Hour = £60/Hour thereafter for assisting you with Completion of the Forms and Mitigation.

THE WORK CARRIED OUT FOR FEES INCLUDE:

1. Full Analysis and Consideration of the Papers you have received from the Police/Prosecution where you can plead guilty by post.
2. Taking your Full Instructions and Considering whether Legal Aid may be Available, For Example, you are on Benefits, Low Income and/or May have a Defence and Can Not Properly Defend yourself.
3. Advice and Assistance on the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Prosecution Evidence.
4. Advice on how you should Plead and Court Procedures.
5. Advice as to whether you need a Lawyer due to Potential Loss of Licence Defences/Complexity/Special Reasons or Exceptional Hardship Arguments.
6. Assistance with your Written Guilty Plea and Mitigation to the Court.
7. Advice as to likely Sentence.

GUILTY PLEA(S) – REPRESENTING YOU AT COURT

Newton Abbot Magistrates Court: From £420 (Inclusive of VAT, for Cases dealt with at the First Hearing – Further hearings will be Charged at £240 per day Inclusive of VAT).

Plymouth Magistrates Court: From £600 (Inclusive of VAT, for Cases dealt with at the First Hearing – Further hearings will be Charged at £480 per day Inclusive of VAT).

Exeter Magistrates Court: From £480 (Inclusive of VAT, for Cases dealt with at the First Hearing – Further hearings will be Charged at £300 Inclusive of VAT).

WORK FOR THE FEES INCLUDE:

1. Opening up a Specific File for you.
2. Obtaining the Disclosure from the Prosecution (IDPC).
3. Full Analysis and Consideration of the IDPC, including the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Prosecution Case.
4. Taking your Full Instructions and Considering whether Legal Aid may be Available, For Example, you are in receipt of Benefits, Low Income and/or May have a Defence and are not able to Properly Defend yourself.
5. Full Analysis of Possible Defence(s).
6. Advice on how you should Plead and Court Procedures.
7. Full Analysis of Mitigation where Defence(s) are not available.
8. Dealing with all telephone calls, including from yourself, Prosecution and Third Parties.
9. Dealing with all Emails and letters from yourself, Prosecution and Third Parties.
10. Where appropriate, making Written Representations to the Prosecution.
11. Full Preparation for the Hearing, including preparing your Full Mitigation.
12. Attending Court to Represent and Mitigate on your behalf.
13. Advice as to likely Sentence.

PLEASE NOTE: MOST CASES ARE DEALT WITH AT THE FIRST HEARING. IT IS ONLY IF YOU ARE PLEADING NOT GUILTY THAT THE COURT WILL SET THE MATTER DOWN FOR TRIAL OR ON A GUILTY PLEA, THE COURT MAY WANT A PRE-SENTENCE REPORT (PSR) FROM PROBATION BUT IN SUCH CASES, SOMETIMES, LEGAL AID MAY BE AVAILABLE SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY AND WHETHER IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE AND FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY TO GRANT IT.

NOT GUILTY PLEA(S) – REPRESENTING YOU AT COURT (FEES INCLUSIVE OF VAT)

As part of a team with you, there is virtually no limit to the amount of work undertaken to do all we can to get you a verdict of not guilty; with the mentality of not liking to lose and securing the best possible outcome, fighting through to the end for you.

Please Note: If we win and you are found not guilty, some of your fees can be returned to you by the court by way of a Defence Costs Order and, Fees are Estimates, Negotiable, including being able to be less than that quoted, and, Legal Aid may be available.

Newton Abbot Magistrates Court:

£600 Half Day Trial & £900 Full Day Trial (Includes attending the First Hearing to set the Matter Down for Trial and the Trial itself) – Further hearings will be Charged at £300 per day).

Plymouth Magistrates Court:

£720 Half Day Trial & £900 Full Day Trial (Includes attending the First Hearing to set the Matter Down for Trial and the Trial itself) – Further hearings will be Charged at £360 per day).

Exeter Magistrates Court:

£720 Half Day Trial & £900 Full Day Trial (Includes Attending the First Hearing to Set the Matter Down for Trial and the Trial itself) – Further hearings will be Charged at £360 per day).

SEE BELOW FOR WHAT WORK IS COVERED FOR THE FEES

WORK FOR THE FEES INCLUDE:

1. Taking your Full Instructions Face to Face, and Considering whether Legal Aid may be Available, For Example, you are in receipt of Benefits, Low Income and/or May have a Defence and not Properly be able to Defend yourself without such Expert Representation.
2. Opening up a Specific File for you.
3. Obtaining the Disclosure from the Prosecution (IDPC).
4. Sending the IDPC to you for your full instructions.
5. Full Analysis and Consideration of the IDPC, including the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Prosecution Case.
6. Full Analysis of Possible Defence(s).
7. Advice on how you should Plead, Court Procedures and Likely Sentence.
8. Dealing with all telephone calls, including from yourself, Prosecution and Third Parties.
9. Dealing with all Emails and letters from yourself, Prosecution and Third Parties.
10. Where appropriate, making Written Representations to the Prosecution.
11. Full Preparation for the Trial by working with you throughout.
12. Attending the First Hearing having analysed the Case in readiness for the Court Hearing and Completing the Trial Preparation Form for you.
13. Advice as to likely Sentence, as appropriate.
14. Advice as to how Expert Evidence can be obtained.
15. Analysis of any Expert Report as appropriate.
16. Advice on the contents of any Expert Report as appropriate.
17. Representing you at Trial.

FEES DO NOT COVER:

1. Instructing an Expert for you. This will incur an Hourly Feed in the sum of £100 for the First Hour and £50 Per Hour thereafter. It is Estimated that most instruction to an Expert will be no more than an hour, in the vast majority of cases, with no more than two hours, though this may change depending on the complexity of your case.
2. The Experts Fees which vary but can be from around £200 + VAT = £240. You will be responsible to pay such Fees to the Expert unless you are in receipt of Legal Aid where they may be paid for by the Legal Aid Agency.
3. Any other disbursements such as the Expert’s Attendance at Court to give Evidence on your behalf, including their Travel Expenses/Parking.
4. Advice as to whether you have an Appeal following Conviction and/or Sentence. Such Advice will be £100 Per Hour and £50 Per Hour thereafter. It is Estimated that this will take an hour to complete.
5. Taking Statements from your Witnesses. This will be Charged at £100 for the First Hour and £50 Per Hour thereafter. It is Estimated that most Witnesses Statements will take no more than 1.5 Hours to complete.

PLEASE NOTE:
THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF THE CASE, THE CASE WILL CONTINUE TO BE REVIEWED AND NOTHING IS UNDERTAKEN WITHOUT YOUR AGREEMENT AND INSTRUCTION, INCLUDING DISBURSEMENTS (EXPENSES, TRAVEL AND INSTRUCTION OF AN EXPERT).

In Complex Cases, it may be necessary to act for you on an hourly rate. As a Senior Solicitor/Owner/Managing Director of the Firm, my hourly rate is £336 Inclusive of VAT. Should this be the case, I will give you the best possible estimate when you instruct me and will continue to provide cost information and updates throughout the case. NOTHING is done without your permission, with No Hidden Costs. The Estimated Range of Fees in such Cases are from £3,000 up to £10,200 (Inclusive of VAT though may vary, and do not include Expert Fees, or the Cost of Representation by a Barrister at any Court Hearing.

If you have asked to be Represented at Court, it may be necessary to use a Barrister who will be an Expert in Road Traffic Offences. The Barrister will be fully briefed by me in relation to your case, including discussing your case with the Barrister at length before your Trial/Hearing. Thereafter, the Barrister will meet you at Court at least half an hour before the Trial so that you can have a conference with him/her to finalise any discussions and by way of introduction. In more complex cases, it may be necessary to have a conference with the Barrister and myself prior to such Trial. In such an event, the Fees will Start from £1,800 (Inclusive of VAT) though some direct access to a Barrister may be available.