Client Information Sheet: MOTORING OFFENCES

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Introduction

 

As part of our professional rules, we aim to ensure that anyone wishing to use our services has the information they need to make an informed choice of legal services provider, including understanding what the costs may be.

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Why instruct Petherbridge Bassra Solicitors?

 

ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENCES

 

The Specialist Road Traffic Team at Petherbridge Bassra are pro-active in fighting for our clients whether conducting a case to trial or offering the best possible arguments to the Court to avoid fines, points or disqualification.

 

No stone will be left unturned to protect your Licence

 

The Specialist Road Traffic Team at Petherbridge Bassra comprise Higher Court Advocates, Solicitors, Paralegals and support staff and you would always be represented in Court by a lawyer experienced in dealing with this difficult area of law.

 

Road Traffic Law

 

Road Traffic offences cover a very wide spectrum from minor offences to the most serious allegations of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving. In most cases points are awarded against the Licence. The award of points over a period of time can lead to serious problems with the potential for disqualification. It is important therefore to consider each and every time when a fine and points might be awarded against your Licence as at the time it may not appear to be a significant penalty but later on if further points accumulate the risk of disqualification can be considerable.

  

Our Road Traffic Law Department covers the following areas:

 

• Careless Driving

• Construction and Use

• Dangerous Driving

• Death by Dangerous Driving

• Death by Careless Driving

• Drink Driving

• Driving Disqualified

• Driver Identification

• Driver's Hours

• Drunk in Charge

• Failing to Stop/Report

• Insurance

• Speeding

• Speed Camera/Radar

• Tachographs

• Taxi Drivers

• Totting Up

• Traffic Signs

• Exceptional Hardship

• Special Reasons**

 

 

Motoring offence, summary only* Guilty Plea

 

Our Fees

 

Fixed Fee:                   From   £500

VAT on above at 20%              £100

Total costs             From £600
 

Factors that could increase the above fees are:

 

1. Additional hearings

2. Complex legal arguments

 

What is included?

 

• Attendance and/or preparation;

• Considering evidence;

• Taking your instructions;

• Providing advice on likely sentence;

• Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court.

 

What is not included?

 

• Travel for out of town cases

• 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.

• Advice and assistance in relation to an Exceptional Hardship hearing;

 

Key stages involved

 

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. They typically include:

 

• Meet with your you to provide instructions on what happened;

• Consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice;

• 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;

• Conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you, if necessary, and answer any follow up queries you have;

• Attend court on the day, meet with you before going before the court.

• Discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

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How long will my case take?
 

Please note we are unable to provide a precise timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listings.

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Our Motoring Offences Team

 

Tariq Hussain

Managing Director and Head of Motoring Offences Department

Specialist in road traffic cases with over 20 years of experience in this field. Partner and Director for the last 22 years. Qualified Barrister 1991. Solicitor of the Supreme Court 1997. Partner Petherbridge Hussain 2000 to 2007. Partner Petherbridge Bassra 2007 and Managing Partner. Founding Partner Opus Law 2004. Higher Court Advocate.

 

E-mail: tariq@petherbridgebassra.com
Tel: 01274 724114

 

 

Lisa Julian

Director

Partner at Petherbridge Hussain 2003-2007. Founding Partner at Petherbridge Bassra. Specialist Criminal Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate.

 

E-mail: L.Julian@petherbridgebassra.com
Telephone: 01274 724114

 

 

Alan Petherbridge

Consultant Solicitor

Solicitor of the Supreme Court. Member of The Law Society and Higher Court Advocate. Partner and Senior Partner T I Clough and Company 1982-1996. Senior Partner Petherbridge Hussain 1996 to 2007. Senior Partner Petherbridge Bassra 2007.

 

E-mail: alan@petherbridgebassra.com
Telephone: 01274 724114

 

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Last update: April 2023

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* A summary only offence is an offence which can only be tried in the magistrates' court. There are exceptions. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (CJA 1988) offences specified in the Act can be tried on indictment by a jury if they are linked to an offence triable only in the Crown Court. The principal summary only offences are:

• driving whilst disqualified

• careless and inconsiderate driving

• failing to give information as to the identity of the driver

• failing to stop or report, and

• speeding.

 

** Special Reasons pertain exclusively to situations where the accused has been found or has pled guilty and now faces disqualification unless he/she can persuade the Court that the circumstances of the offence are such that it would be unjust to impose a ban.