Road Traffic Offences
At Powell Spencer and Partners, we understand how important a driving licence is to our clients. For many, it is essential to their livelihood; it connects them to elderly relatives or it allows them to take their children to school. Many people fear they simply cannot function without it.
Local Specialists
We have a specialist team, headed by Mark
Do you need our help?
The sheer number of motoring offences and the technical sentencing framework make it difficult for members of the public to understand their legal position and potential liabilities. We can provide clear and accurate advice to help you make the right decisions.
If you are at risk of incurring penalty points, reaching a 12-point ‘totting disqualification’ or even an immediate disqualification, we can help discuss ways of avoiding this; either by establishing innocence, negotiating with the prosecution or by persuading the sentencing court to show leniency.
Why us?
Other road traffic specialists charge eye-watering fees on the back of outlandish promises and a glossy image. We aim to be different and to always give clear and practical advice. If we do not think your circumstances require the cost of a lawyer we will tell you. If you instruct us to act on a private basis, we offer fixed fees, agreed up front. We keep our prices competitive, aiming to serve the working people of our community.
Most road traffic offences do not attract legal aid, but as a firm with a long tradition of providing legal advice to people of all backgrounds and circumstances, if you could qualify for legal aid, we will help you apply and represent you on those terms.
Types of service
— Defending people at trial accused of offences such as (non-definitive list):
- Failing to nominate the driver of a vehicle suspected of an offence
- Failing to stop at the scene of an accident
- Careless and dangerous driving
- Driving offences that lead to death
- Drink driving offences (including drunk in charge, failing to provide a
breath specimen) - Using a mobile phone while driving
- Driving without insurance or not according to a licence
- Speeding
- Perverting the course of Justice by returning a false name to a driver enquiry
— Mounting
— Arguing exception hardship for defendants facing a 12-point ‘totting’ disqualification. This involves calling evidence to show why the defendant should not be banned from driving
— Applications for removal of disqualification for those with bans of more than 2 years.
Fees & Funding
Below is a list of indicative fixed fee prices we offer for regular case types. The applicable rate of VAT is currently 20%. For more complex case types we may offer to work only at an hourly rate:
- Standard guilty plea cases: This includes advice on the papers, a meeting in advance and advocacy at one hearing to support a plea in mitigation after a guilty plea – £550.00 plus 20% VAT. We would advise on the merits of an appeal, but the fee does not include the conduct of an appeal.
- Exceptional hardship guilty plea cases: This includes advice on the papers, a meeting in advance and advocacy at one hearing to support a plea in mitigation asserting exceptional hardship– £650.00 plus 20% VAT. We would advise on the merits of an appeal, but the fee does not include the conduct of an appeal.
- Contested Cases (trials, contested facts at sentence and special reasons pleas): This includes advice on all papers, all necessary litigation, all necessary meetings with you or witnesses, advocacy at the first trial hearing – £1,200.00 plus 20% VAT. We would advise on the merits of an appeal, but the fee does not include the conduct of an appeal.
- Statutory declarations to quash convictions in absence – £200.00 plus 20% VAT on papers, £300.00 plus 20% VAT if attending a hearing. This includes meeting with you to take instructions, draft the application and serving it.
Second hearings: the vast majority of guilty plea cases (1&2 above) complete with one hearing. If a second hearing is needed an additional fee of £300.00 plus 20% VAT will be incurred. The Contested Cases fixed fee includes advocacy at the first trial listing. Adjourned or vacated trials would incur additional charges, typically fixed at £250.00 – £500.00 plus 20% VAT. The trial fixed fee is incurred when a case is listed for trial and applies to matters when the trial does not go ahead because, for example, the prosecution withdraw / collapse, or a client changes their mind.
Fixed fee or hourly rate case? More complex cases are best suited to an hourly rate billing arrangement. We will provide an estimate of costs prior to you agreeing to engage us. One reason we might not offer a fixed fee is the need to instruct an expert witness. Expert witnesses are occasionally required and would be charged as a disbursement. While it is not possible to outline all types, toxicology reports (in drink and drug driving cases) cost in the region of £400.00 – £1,000.00 plus 20% VAT and crash scene investigator’s reports are in the region of £2,000.00 plus 20% VAT.
In fixed fee work the cost of your advocate is included, whether you are represented by a solicitor advocate or barrister. In hourly rate cases you may be advised that instructing a barrister is in your best interests and they would be charged as a disbursement, the rate of which would be quoted in advance. A junior barrister typically costs between £300.00 and £2,000.00 plus 20% VAT depending on the type of hearing and level of experience.
A first call for advice is always free of charge with no obligation. We are happy to discuss any questions you might have about our fees then.
We request payments on account but are willing to accept instalments in the build up to the final hearing. You can discuss any such arrangements with the Solicitor who has conduct of your case.
Help Yourself
You might find your situation does not justify instructing a lawyer and if so we will not try to convince you otherwise.
That’s why submitting the form below or simply calling 020 7604 5600 provides a quick and easy way of making the right decision at an early stage.
If you want to do your own research before you decide, why not look into some of the following useful resources:
Punishments
https://www.gov.uk/highway-code-penalties/penalty-table
Penalty Points and Disqualification System
https://www.gov.uk/highway-code-penalties/penalty-points-and-disqualification
Charged With Careless Driving Offences
For Road Traffic Offences Enquiries
— Request a call back
Meet The Experts:
Criminal Defence Team
@PSPLawUK
RT @JanetDaby Today I called on the Government to do more to help criminal legal aid solicitors.
Despite the warm words from @MoJGovUK many smaller firms are struggling financially and Tory cuts are making this situation worse.
My constituents deserve access to justice.
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Road Traffic Offences
Director
Saloud joined Powell Spencer & Partners in August 2012 after graduating from Brunel University obtaining a first class degree in Economics. Saloud became a Partner in 2018.
Saloud is a qualified Costs Lawyer and leads the firm’s internal costs drafting and costs litigation department, ranging from legal aid to private client.
In recent years Saloud has established a very successful client base and receives instructions ranging from Top 100 firms to Sole Practitioners. Saloud specialises in legal aid costs and provides a wealth of experience with preparing claim forms, drafting bill of costs, complex high cost case plans, points of dispute and replies and advising on general billing procedures.
Saloud is a member of the Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL).
Saloud was appointed to the Legal Aid Agency's Review Panel as an Independent Costs Assessor in August 2021.
Professional Testimonials
Saloud is our cost draftsman and he has made a massive difference to the efficiency of this practice and my day to day working life! He has extensive knowledge of criminal legal aid billing and has been able to guide and advise all our staff in this area. He is easy to approach and friendly as well as incredibly efficient and hardworking. He provides an excellent level of service to our firm. I would not hesitate to recommend him.
— Shila Kesvari, Partner Of Edward Fail, Bradshaw & Waterson
Saloud Zaman receives my instructions in respect of preparing my criminal and prison law bills which are submitted to the Legal Aid Agency for assessment and payment. I would describe Saloud as having an encyclopaedic knowledge of the rules and guidance in respect of billing files correctly in accordance with the provisions as set out under the Legal Aid contract. Saloud's approach has always been professional yet approachable as he always provides solid and clear advice as and when required. Saloud is also exceptionally hardworking and very diligent. He provides a professional service throughout and comes highly recommended.
— Semin Taner, Associate Of Russell-Cooke Solicitors
I have no hesitation in recommending your services and am grateful for your knowledge, diligence and thoroughness in costing my files.
— Simon Grove, Partner Of JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors
I have instructed you to provide cost drafting services for my firm for over 18 months. Almost all the files I have sent you have been legally aided care cases. I have allowed you access to my firm's CCMS account to enable you to prepare and submit bills. I have been satisfied with the work you have done and continue to instruct you. I am a partner in my firm and have been a solicitor for over thirty years.
— Maurice Guyer, Partner Of Vickers & Co Solicitors
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Accreditations
© 2020 Powell Spencer & Partners. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Registration No. 57736).
Partners: Greg Powell, Zaman Legal Services Ltd (Directors: Sinead Zaman, Saloud Zaman)
All payments are made in Pound Sterling (£ GBP)