At EBR Attridge LLP we undertake legally aided and privately funded representation (VAT is charged at 20%).

Legal aid is not always available for most driving offences as they are summary only offences which can only be tried in the Magistrates Court. (This is because they will fail the interests of justice test required to be passed to be granted legal aid in the Magistrates Court, which is also means tested).

The main driving summary only offences are:

• Driving whilst disqualified.
• Driving or being in charge of a vehicle with concentrations of alcohol in excess of specified levels (Drink driving).
• Driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle with concentrations of specified controlled drugs in excess of specified levels (Drug driving).
• Driving without insurance/road tax/MOT.
• Careless driving.
• Failing to give information as to the identity of the driver.
• Failing to stop and/or report a road traffic accident.
• Speeding.

EBR Attridge LLP can provide the following fees:

• £500 plus VAT for a guilty plea involving up to half a day at Court, with each subsequent guilty plea hearing half or part half day incurring an additional fee of £250 plus VAT.
• £1,000 plus VAT for a summary trial involving up to one day at Court, with each subsequent summary trial half or part half day incurring an additional fee of £500 plus VAT. (This fee of £1,000 plus VAT will also be charged if we are instructed and then a not guilty plea is entered that is changed to a guilty plea on a later date).

These fees include:

• 2 hours attendance/preparation.
• Consideration of the evidence.
• Taking of your instructions.
• Providing advice on the likely outcome/sentence.
• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court for a guilty plea involving up to half a day at Court or attendance and representation at all hearings up to and including a summary trial of up to one day in length.

The fee does not include:

• Instruction of any expert witnesses.
• Taking statements from any witnesses.
• Advice and assistance in relation to a special reasons hearing.
• Any hearings after the guilty plea hearing or summary trial hearing have concluded. These additional hearings each incur an additional fee of £250 plus VAT.

These fees are based on the presumption that you have a date for your hearing.

• You will meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened.
• We will consider initial disclosure and any other evidence and provide advice.
• We will arrange to take any witness statements if necessary. (This will have an additional cost of £50 per witness).
• We will explain the Court procedure to you so you know what to expect on the day of the 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 time of when your hearing will take place on the day, as this depends on the Court listing for that day.

We will attend Court on the day and meet with you before going into Court. We anticipate being at Court for half a day in a guilty plea and in the case of a summary trial one day.

We will discuss the outcome with you. If written advice is required on appeal, this will carry no additional cost, but representation for an appeal to the Crown Court against the conviction and/or sentence does involve additional costs.

We only deal with criminal defence matters and have fee earners of varying experience. We confirm your case will be dealt with by a qualified solicitor or a caseworker who has experience in such matters under the supervision of a qualified solicitor. For individual solicitors experience and qualifications, please see the profiles of our team on this website.