
Defending Drivers
Meet the team
Worried you might lose your licence? Our team is here to help.
For many people their only involvement with the law comes when they are summonsed in relation to motoring offences. Penalty points for a minor offence may lead to the threat of disqualification. Our specialist advocates are often able to persuade the Court to allow you to keep your driving licence.
Disqualification from driving can be imposed for many motoring offences (e.g. speeding, drink driving etc.), and can have catastrophic consequences. We can advise on potential defences or mitigation, often avoiding any penalty at all or reducing the penalty to a more manageable one. We are happy to give you informal advice initially over the phone on all motoring matters and if required provide skilled and timely representation at court.
Berry Redmond Gordon & Penney specialist motoring lawyers have over 30 years experience in defending the motorist and have helped many drivers in similar circumstances to your own. We will to act for you on any motoring offences and have a proven track record of successfully defending motorists.
In many cases technical or evidential defences are available to drivers. Expert advice is therefore imperative. Call us now on 01934 414 161.
Meet the team
Legal Aid Funding
Our defence team will discuss options for publicly funding your criminal case. Legal aid funding is available in the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court.
You may be eligible for legal aid to fund your case in full or with a financial contribution.
Privately Funded
If you are not eligible for legal aid, we can represent you on a private paying basis. We offer most services at a fixed fee however we reserve the right to adjust our fees depending on the complexity of your case. Our fees will depend on your intended plea and the complexity of your case.
Please see below a table with examples of our fixed fee services:
Guilty Plea | Our fee | VAT | Total |
Our fee includes:
|
£600 |
£120 |
£720 |
Your case may not resolve at the first hearing. For example, it may be adjourned for the following reasons:
- The Magistrates order a pre-sentence report to be complied by The Probation Service to assist in sentence, so your hearing cannot be dealt with on the same day.
- The Magistrates may decide your case is too serious to be sentenced in the Magistrates’ Court and commit the case for sentence to the Crown Court.
- Your hearing may also be adjourned due to lack of court time or other matters outside of our control.
Please see our table below for our fees for each additional hearing following your first appearance in the Magistrates Court. These fees are in addition to the fee set out above.
Guilty Plea – additional hearings at the Magistrates’ Court | Our Fee | VAT | Total |
Our fee includes:
|
£200 |
£40 |
£240 |
Guilty Plea – cases committed to the Crown Court for sentence | Our Fee | VAT | Total |
Our fee includes:
Managing your case through the Crown Court. |
£350 |
£70 |
£420 |
Not Guilty Plea | Our Fee | VAT | Total |
Our fee includes:
Attendance and representation at one hearing at the Magistrates' Court. |
£600 |
£120 |
£720 |
If your trial proceeds in the Magistrates’ Court, the cost to cover your trial will depend on the complexity of the trial. In addition to our fixed fee for the first appearance, costs for a trial range from £1,000 - £2,000 plus VAT (£1,200 - £2,400).
If your trial proceeds in the Crown Court. We will provide you with a cost estimate for our work. You will also be required to instruct a barrister for your trial. We can assist you with selecting a barrister and will obtain quotes for their services. In supporting your selection, we will provide you with links to their resumes.
Please also note, legal aid funding may be available to cover the cost of your Crown Court trial even though you were ineligible for legal aid funding at the Magistrates Court.
Please note travel costs may be additional, depending on court location.
Exclusions
Our fee does not include any additional costs incurred in respect of the following:
- Instruction of any expert witnesses.
- Taking statements from witnesses.
- Advice and assistance in relation to special reasons, exceptional hardship and appeals
Police Interview
If you are being interviewed by the police, you are eligible to free and independent legal advice and representation, no matter what your income.
If you have any questions in relation to any of the above information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01934 414161.