Public Access – Motoring Offences (Summary Only)


Our barristers can advise and represent you in court if you are charged with a ‘summary only’ motoring offence. This is a motoring offence which can only be heard in the Magistrates’ Court; for example, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, careless driving, failing to stop or report, and speeding.  

Timescales

Timescales for our barristers’ services may vary depending on factors such as the barrister’s availability, the complexity of your case, and the need for additional documents. However, as a guide written advice on your case should be available within 2 to 4 weeks of you instructing a barrister, where possible. You may also need representation at short notice. If so, please contact the clerks and we will aim for one of our barristers to represent you at the hearing where possible.

Fees

Our barristers may charge fixed fees, which means that the barrister will charge you a set amount of money for the work. Below we provide estimates based on the range of fixed fees for barristers at Farrar’s Building. All fees are subject to VAT (where applicable).

If a barrister charges fixed fees, these may vary depending on your needs. For example, your fees may be towards the higher end of the range if you have a more complex case and/or you need a more experienced barrister. If you have a particularly complex case, your fees may also be higher than the estimates below.

Stage of case Range of fixed fees (estimates)
Written advice on your case £250 to £750
Preparation of case, including meeting with you and assistance with drafting of court documents £500 to £2,500
Guilty pleas £750 to £1,500
First appearance (pre-trial court appearance) £500 to £1,000
First day of trial £1,500 to £3,000 This estimate is for hearings up to 2 days. The clerks will be happy to provide a quote for longer hearings on request.
Court appearance per day (after first day) or part thereof £750 to £1,750

Our barristers sometimes charge hourly rates for advisory and drafting work. The setting of hourly rates is not necessarily straightforward and a number of factors may determine the rate that is set, for example the seniority of barrister, the type of client, and the complexity of the case. Below we provide estimates based on the range of hourly rates for barristers at Farrar’s Building. All fees are subject to VAT (where applicable).

Stage of case Range of hourly rates (estimates)
Written advice on your case £150 to £250
Preparation of case, including meeting with you and assistance with drafting of court documents £150 to £250

Additional Fees

Our barristers will always attempt to give you a fixed fee or provide an accurate estimate of the work involved and the likely fees when they agree to undertake work for you. However, other fees may arise, either because of additional information and/or documentation provided by you, or because of the actions of the other side in your case. No further fees will be incurred without your agreement. An estimate of the additional work necessary and the fees involved will be provided to you for your agreement prior to any further work being undertaken. By way of example only, assistance with the preparation of a witness statement might incur further costs of £250.00 to £500.00, preparation of and appearing on an application hearing £500.00 to £1000.00, together with court costs. These fees are only given by way of example and may be more or less, dependant on the nature of the case and the work involved.

Contact Us

All information is correct as at October 2021, but the fees set out above are estimates only. For a quote, please contact the clerks by telephone on 020 7583 9241 or by email at chambers@farrarsbuilding.co.uk. We will provide you with a quote as soon as possible. We always aim to set out quotes clearly, but if you receive your quote and there is something you do not understand, please contact us.