Hayfield Law has a legal aid contract and therefore can undertake legally aided defence work. We regularly attend magistrates’ and crown courts all over the country including the court of appeal.Where clients do not qualify for legal aid or choose to go private, they will be advised as to the costs implications that might arise in the event of a conviction. We have wide ranging experience in all areas of crime including heavy duty fraud including carousel fraud, immigration fraud, murder, GBH and serious sexual offences. Our criminal defence team has a strong reputation in dealing with these aspects of criminal defence. All road traffic offences are also covered.
Road Traffic Offences
We have a fixed fee of £1000 (exclusive of VAT) for all road traffic offences where a GUILTY plea is entered. This includes drink driving and speeding offences. Where VAT is applicable, the fixed fee will be £1200 (including VAT charged at 20%).
The fee includes:
2 hours attendance/preparation:
-considering evidence
-taking your instructions
-providing advice on likely sentence
This is for attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court
The fee does not include:
-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
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:
-Meet with your solicitor to provide instructions on what happened.
-We will consider initial disclosure, and any other evidence and provide advice.
-Arranging to take any witness statements if necessary (this will have an additional cost, of £250 (exclusive of VAT ). Where VAT is charged, the fee will be £300 (inclusive of VAT at 20%).
-We will 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.
-We will conduct any further preparatory work, obtain further instructions from you if necessary and answer any follow up queries you have.
-We cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
-We will attend court on the day and meet with you before going before the court. We anticipate being at court for half a day for a guilty plea.
-We will discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
Where you have entered a NOT GUILTY plea, and the matter goes to trial, there is a flat fixed fee of £1500 (exclusive of VAT). Where VAT is applied, the fixed fee is £1800 (inclusive of VAT charged at 20%). This is regardless of whether a trial lasts half a day or a whole day. Where there are a number of witnesses, both prosecution and/or defence, it will might last more than a morning and go into the afternoon.