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Road Traffic Defence

The firm provides advice to clients facing road traffic prosecutions and representation in the defence of proceedings before the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court, throughout England and Wales.  We can provide representation either through the Legal Aid Scheme, where this is appropriate, or on a private fee paying basis.

The loss of a driving license can have a devastating affect upon an individual, as to their personal life, as to their employment, or as to the affect upon their business or the business in which they work.  Facing disqualification is a daunting prospect. It is vital to consider whether a road traffic prosecution has been correctly brought before the Courts and to assess all relevant lines of defence.

It is also relevant to recognise that many road traffic offences are viewed as serious and can result in a sentence of imprisonment being imposed upon conviction.

We advise on the full range of offences from speeding to death by dangerous driving.


This firm is repeatedly asked to assist clients who have already, at some time, during the course of an investigation or Court proceedings instructed Solicitors.  We are used to dealing with such enquiries and advising as to the transfer of a case from previous Solicitors to this practice.  It is important to those the subject of an investigation or prosecution, that they are confident in the Solicitors that they instruct and that they consider those that act for them are doing everything they possibly can to assist.

We offer free initial legal advice, either over the phone, via e-mail or face to face if required. Please contact us using the Contact Us link or by asking our solicitors a question using the simple form above. Our initial advice is free.  You can also contact us via e-mail or by telephoning our FREEPHONE number 0800 988 5124.

Case Studies :-

DPP V DD
Lavender Hill magistrates Court
Offence-Speeding

Mr Dennis was caught driving at 60mph in a 40 mph zone and was facing a possible endorsement of 6 penalty points in respect of that offence which meant that as he already had 6 penalty points on his licence, he would have been liable for disqualification under the totting up procedure for a minimum of 6 months.

We successfully argued against the endorsement of his licence and persuaded the Magistrates to impose a short term discretionary disqualification which meant that he could continue to drive after the period of 28 days and his licence remained as it was before with only 6 penalty points.

Testimonial

‘You were great, couldn’t have made it better if you tried, no stress at all’

DPP v PK
Birmingham Magistrates Court
Offence- Excess Alcohol and Failing to stop after a Road Traffic Accident

Miss Kelly was convicted after trial

Testimonial

‘Mandy McIntosh has recently represented me in a case which is now resolved. It was only because of Ms McIntosh’s support and professionalism in dealing with the case that enabled me to get through the past few months, which has enable me to undertake my own job which is extremely busy and very demanding.

I would highly recommend Maidments to a colleague or friend should the need ever arise.

DPP v AI
Wirral Magistrates Court
Offence-Driving with Excess Alcohol

Mr Ives-Towend was charged with an offence of driving whilst in excess of the legal limit-He was acquitted after trial.

Testimonial

‘I would like to say a very big thank you to Mandy. Right from the start of my son’s case she has been excellent. We were both extremely upset at the time but after speaking to Mandy we both felt better.

We both feel that if it wasn’t for her we think that Andrew would now be without his driving licence and deeply in debt. We were both made to feel like friends and not merely clients. She has been outstanding and we are very very grateful.’

DPP v JG
Manchester City Magistrates Court
Charge-Failing to Provide a Specimen of Breath for Analysis

Mr Gittens was charged with failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis when suspected of driving in excess of the legal limit, a charge he always denied.

He was successfully acquitted after trial and a Defence Costs Order was granted.

DPP v Simone Moss
Swindon Magistrates Court
Charge- Driving under the Influence of Drink or Drugs

Ms Moss was charged with one offence of Driving with Excess Alcohol which she fully accepted. We successfully mitigated on her behalf and she was made the subject of a Community order and a Disqualification from driving for a period of 30 Months.

Testimonial

‘Just a quick note to say thank you so much for all your help and support over the past few weeks. Not only were you professional, but extremely kind and sympathetic.’

Pricing

Our pricing for dealing with motoring cases in respect of a single hearing in the Magistrates Court for a summary only road traffic offence are as follows:

Exceptional Hardship Argument

£500 – £2,000 plus VAT at 20%.

The fee will depend on location and degree of complexity.

Guilty Plea and Sentence

£400 – £1,250 plus VAT at 20%.

The fee will depend on location and degree of complexity.

Trial

Trials will normally be dealt with based on hourly rates as below.

No two trials are exactly the same so we cannot provide you with a reliable estimate of the cost. The typical costs, however, of a straight forward case proceeding to trial with no unexpected complications is in the region of £1,000 – £2,000 plus VAT at 20%.

However, on occasions, for a relatively straight forward matter, a fixed costs package may be agreed.

Key Stages

The fees set out above cover all of the work below:

  • Taking initial instructions.
  • Reviewing the papers advising you on merits.
  • Preparing correspondence to the prosecution.
  • Preparing for hearing.
  • Attending court and representing you there.

These apply in all of the three categories above.

Disbursements

Disbursements are the costs payable to the third parties such as experts. Occasionally we may seek to instruct an expert report and costs of any disbursements in respect of this will be in addition to the above.

Expert reports for motoring offences may typically costs in the region of £500 – £1,500 plus VAT at 20%.

Hourly Rates

Where a case is dealt with by reference to our hourly rates, the following are applied:

Senior Solicitor Solicitor/Senior Legal Executive
Preparation, attendance, advocacy, waiting, travel £198.00 £174.00
Letters out £19.80 £17.40
Telephone calls £19.80 £17.40

Plus VAT at 20% on each of the above.

Preparation, attendance, advocacy, travelling and waiting are all charged per hour or part thereof.

Letters out and telephone calls are all charged per item.

* Exceptionally the figures, preparation, attendance and advocacy above may be subject to an increase dependent on the seriousness, and/or complexity of your case. Such figure will be assessed at relevant stages in the proceedings and fully communicated with you. In the event that you are successful and awarded a Defendants Costs Order, you will only have to pay the difference between the costs submitted at the above hourly charging rates and the amount subsequently paid by central funds following consideration of any defendant’s costs order.