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Worked example of Fixed Rate Costs

Driving Offence - Guilty Plea Fee
Example- Speeding offence, guilty plea- Fixed Fee is set at £750 plus VAT (at the applicable rate). Fee includes:

• Attendance/preparation:
  
  • Considering evidence
    
  • Taking your instructions
    
  • Providing advice on likely sentence
    
• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court
  

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;
  
• Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal;
  

The key stages of your matter 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 have an additional cost, of £600 plus VAT (at the applicable rate);
  
• 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 anticipate being at court for half a day;
  
• We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
  

Application for Exceptional Hardship is £750 plus VAT (at the applicable rate)
Application for Special Reasons, lasting up to half a day £1,500 plus VAT (at the applicable rate)
Applications for Special Reasons, lasting up to a full day £2,400 plus VAT (at the applicable rate)

The costs above are in relation to attendance at Tameside, Manchester, Stockport, Bolton, Bradford and Sheffield Magistrates' Courts. Our fees will be higher if attendance is required at any other Court to reflect the additional travelling time. We charge £96 per hour for travelling and 54p per mile (plus any parking costs). These figures include VAT.

The fees quoted above are for the services provided by our professionals and do not include the following disbursements- Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Barrister fees or expert reports.

• Any Barrister fees. A Barrister can be instructed upon request. Barrister fees would need to be negotiated on an individual basis
  

• Independent expert reports e.g. medical experts. These are not required in many cases: we will let you know as soon as possible if we consider an expert report is necessary.
  

• Interpreters fees on average range between at £48 per hour to £95 per hour plus VAT (at the applicable rate). If there are any Interpreter fees, we will advise you of these on instruction. Please note that you do not need to use an interpreter of our firms choosing. You can bring a friend to come and help interpret for you at our office.