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Motoring Offences

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. 


Why instruct McKeag & Co Solicitors

From our offices located in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, McKeag & Co Solicitors provides the very best advice and representation in Criminal Legal Aid and privately funded matters.

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At McKeag & Co we understand how important your driving licence is. Most of our clients rely upon their ability to drive, whether it’s for work, business, family or pleasure. We understand the stress and worry caused by driving offences and how often a criminal conviction can end up in the loss of your job, business, reputation and the strain it places on relationships.

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We have a vast amount of experience in successfully defending individuals who are facing these charges. We’re here to pick up the pieces, take the worry off your hands and explain everything to you, including the possible outcomes and advise you at each stage of the process.


Motoring offence, summary only1, and Special Reasons2

Our Fees

 

We would normally conduct this work on a fixed fee basis. Each case is different and we will provide you with a quotation tailored to your requirements. As a guide, we have provided an indication of ours costs below:

 

Guilty Plea - Our Fees are from £230 excluding VAT at 20% - Total would be from £276

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Special Reasons - Our fees are from £500 excluding VAT at 20% - Total would be from £600

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The above represent the starting fees for this type of work and there may be additional factors in your case that increase the fees such as if we identify a need to instruct expert witnesses. 

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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.

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What is not included?

•    Instruction of any expert witnesses;
•    Taking statements from any witnesses;
•    Advice and assistance in relation to hearings;
•    Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal.

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Expert witnesses

Not all matters will require the preparation of an expert report. However, where this is required, we will advise on the choice of a suitably-qualified expert and obtain a quotation. Typically, experts may be called to conduct alcohol back calculations, lung function tests and drug calculations, for example. Expert fees will be charged additional to our fees referred to earlier. We expect you to make a payment on account in advance of us instructing an expert.  These reports typically range between £200 – £800 (plus VAT of  £40 to £160) but can be considerably more in certain circumstances.

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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 you to provide instructions on what happened;

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

  • Arranging to take any witness statements, if necessary. This will normally be charged on an hourly rates basis as an additional cost. Our charges are £180 per hour (£216 including VAT);

  • 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. We anticipate being at court for up to several hours depending on how busy the court list might be;

  • Discuss the outcome with you and advise you if necessary on your options for appeal against sentence or conviction.

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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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  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. An exceptional hardship hearing is where the accused has been found or has pled guilty and now faces disqualification unless they can persuade the Court that a disqualification would cause them or others exceptional hardship

The fees for our service can vary depending on a number of factors including​

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  • If the trial runs over half a day

  • The location of the trial

  • Number of witnesses involved

  • Number of offences committed

TIMESCALES

Court proceedings will usually be issued within six months of the offence, however it can take up to 12 months to proceed with a hearing.​

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At this stage we do not expect to do any work outside the terms of any fixed price quoted, however we will notify you if this changes and discuss with you how the additional work may be charged.

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If successful and acquitted or proceedings are discontinued by the prosecution you may be entitled to obtain a defence costs order.

McKeag & Co have been established on Tyneside for over 100 years and during this time have been successful in obtaining compensation for people who have been in accidents or suffered abuse.

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Call Us on (0191) 213 1010 to arrange an initial free consultation or alternatively contact us online.

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Judith Curry

Crime - Head of Department

Judith is a duty solicitor, she has been qualified since 2005, she is head of our Criminal Department and has over 18 years’ experience, specialising in all criminal matters covering the very minor road traffic offences and other summary offences such as theft and criminal damage which are usually dealt with by the Magistrates’ Court to the most serious offences such as murder, assault and arson which will be dealt with at the Crown Court.

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Judith works exclusively in work relating to  Criminal Law 

Gregg Stephens

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Solicitor

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Gregg is a duty solicitor, he has been qualified since 1990, and spent the majority of his professional life practicing criminal law at Stephens McDonald and Robson solicitor where he was a senior managing partner until the firm merged with McKeag & Co in February 2019. Gregg holds Higher Rights and can practice in the Crown Courts as well as the Magistrates.

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Gregg works exclusively in work relating to  Criminal Law 

John Kirkham

Solicitor

John is a duty solicitor, he has been qualified since 1988, and spent the majority of his professional life practicing criminal law at Brennans Quality Solicitors where he was a senior managing partner until the firm merged with McKeag & Co in July 2022. 

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John works exclusively in work relating to  Criminal Law 

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