Our Fees

Here at Klarks our price transparency policy is designed to provide all potential clients with easy to understand guidance on its pricing policy.

Who does it effect?

All clients who are seeking legal advice and assistance with summary motoring offences. This means they are triable only in the Magistrates Court and not in the Crown Court. Examples include:-

  • Exceeding the speeding limit (speeding)
  • Driving whilst over the prescribed alcohol limit (drink driving)
  • Drug driving
  • Careless driving
  • Driving whilst using your mobile phone

We are lucky enough to have a legal aid franchise, which means we may be be able to offer to do the work under legal. However, this is subject to stringent means and merits testing and very few cases will be eligible. Therefore, most of our work in this area is carried out on a private agreed fee basis.

“We can undertake legal aid work”

The niche criminal practice

What information will our price transparency policy provide you with?

It will provide you with:-

  1. A total cost where possible of our fees for the work to be undertaken with regard to summary only motoring offences, and where that is not possible, a range of costs.
  2. Details of disbursements, i.e. an expert who is instructed to attend Court to give evidence on your behalf. A simple example is a collision damage investigator.
  3. Information in relation to when fees should be paid.

What Service will I receive for the payment I make?

You will be represented by either Mr Hussain or Mr Bassi, both of whom are Partners within the firm and have a minimum of 15 years’ experience.

How much will my case cost?

It is difficult to give a precise cost at the outset of a summary only motoring offence but a range of costs is possible. The reason we are only able to provide a range of costs is because each case is different and will depend on a number of variable factors, examples of which are listed below (this is not an exhaustive list)

  • Is the legal assistance sought limited to a one off advice call to understand your options.
  • The quantity of paperwork sent to us by the crown prosecution service/court/police at the start of the case and any further
  • Disclosures of paperwork made to us.
  • Whether or not you plead guilty or not guilty and at what point that guilty plea is made.
  • If experts are to be instructed on your behalf.
  • The level and experience of the solicitor conducting your case.
  • The need for non-expert defence witnesses.

Our costs in respect of summary only offences our fixed costs are as follows:

  1. Initial advice for non imprisonable motoring offences is £500.
  2. Initial advice for imprisonable motoring offences is £1000.
  3. Mitigation letter to the court for summary non imprisonable offences £500 to £1000.
  4. Non-contested summary non imprisonable motoring offences £3000 to £6000.
  5. Contested non imprisonable summary motoring offences £3000 to £5000.
  6. Non-contested imprisonable summary only motoring offences £2000 to £3000.
  7. Contested summary only imprisonable motoring offences £4000 to £8000.
  8. Appeals re conviction and or sentence £2000 – £5000.

What services will you be provided with for your fees?

As a general rule the fees quoted above numbered 1-8 are all inclusive and in particular include representation by Counsel, if required.

The exceptions number 1-8 are as follows:-

  1. The fees do not include VAT.
  2. The current rate of VAT is 20%.
  3. The fees do not include the costs of instructing experts, obtaining expert reports or the costs for an expert to attend Court to give evidence.
  4. The above fees quoted in 4-8 above are based on one appearance at Court for trial or sentencing and the case proceeding on the designated date. If the case is adjourned or attendance at additional Court hearings is required there may be an additional fee of between £1000 to £3000 per additional Court hearing.

The fixed fee is applicable no matter how the case is resolved or disposed of, including when proceedings are discontinued by the respective prosecuting authority before we have attended a trial. If we are not in receipt of funds at the time of disposal then the agreed fee as agreed with yourself remains payable to the firm.

Drink driving offence, guilty plea – fixed fee £750 (including VAT charged at 20%)

Fee includes:

  • 2 hours 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 X).
  • 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 [e.g. half a day].
  • We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

 

Comments are closed.

March 2024
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Klarks Solicitors