Criminal law

Motoring offences

We offer fixed fees for some matters to help you budget for your case.  Our fees for dealing with summary only motoring offences will vary, depending on whether the plea is Guilty or Not Guilty and the number of hearings involved.  We will need to obtain all the facts and details of your personal circumstances and will liaise with the Court and the CPS in advance and on the day of any hearing.

Matter type	Fixed Fee For Case (excludes expert reports and disbursements)
Guilty plea matters dealt with on the first hearing	£400 plus VAT = £480
Exceptional Hardship	£600 plus VAT = £720
Half day Special Reasons Hearing or Trial	£800 plus VAT = £960
Full day Special Reasons Hearing or Trial	£1200 plus VAT = £1440
Second day of trial (half day)	£500 plus VAT = £600

Our fees will typically include:

• All telephone calls, letters and emails.
• Attendance/preparation.
• Considering evidence.
• Providing advice in relation to plea and likely sentence.
• Advice on whether an exceptional hardship, or special reasons argument should be made.
• Where we cannot anticipate the likely sentence, advice on the options available to the court in relation to sentencing.
• Representation at hearings at the Lincoln or Boston Magistrates Court.

Solicitor hourly rates for private work

Mark McNeil – £250 per hour plus VAT = £300

Rachel Taylor – £250 per hour plus VAT = £300

Gordon Holt – £250 per hour plus VAT = £300

Sophie Kitching – £250 per hour plus VAT = £300

Exclusions

Our fixed fees include the items detailed above, however there may be factors which would increase the fees involved in your case. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided.

The following expenses are not included in our fixed fee:

• The cost of travelling to any court other than Lincoln or Boston. This would be charged at 45 pence per mile plus VAT at 20% and £50 per hour plus VAT at 20% travelling from Lincoln office. 
• The costs of an expert report which may be required to support the defence will be at 20% VAT. Price is dependant on what report is required. 
• Obtaining witness statements, whether expert or other.
• Acting for you in an appeal.