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 Chivers Solicitors?
From our offices in Bingley and Durham, Chivers Solicitors provides the very best advice and representation in Criminal and Family law cases, both Legal Aid and privately funded.
Our large Criminal Defence Team has been defending successfully in serious, complex and high-profile criminal cases including murder and fraud for over 30 years, establishing a superb reputation in criminal defence work. We provide a quality service from the Police Station to the Court of Appeal in Legal Aid and privately funded cases.
We have a huge amount of experience of advising and representing people accused of offences ranging from Speeding to Causing Death by Dangerous Driving. Our proven track record in helping people keep their licences has enabled us to build a strong reputation in this area of law. We will fight for you where others won’t. Unlike many national firms, we will not refer work to self-employed agents. We will allocate you a specialist lawyer who will be available to you throughout the process.
Motoring offence, summary only - Guilty Plea
Our Fees
Agreed Fee: £400 + vat
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?
- Instruction of any expert witnesses;
- Taking statements from any witnesses;
- Advice and assistance in relation to a Special Reasons[ii] hearing;
- Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal.
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;
- Arranging to take any witness statements, if necessary (this will have an additional cost).
- 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 [e.g. half a day].
- Discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
Please note we cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
Motoring offence, summary only - Trial
Our Fees
From: £500 + vat
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?
- Instruction of any expert witnesses;
- Taking statements from any witnesses;
- Advice and assistance in relation to a Special Reasons[iii] hearing;
- Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal.
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;
- Arranging to take any witness statements, if necessary (this will have an additional cost).
- 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 [e.g. half a day].
- Discuss the outcome with you. If advice is required on appeal, this will carry an additional cost.
Please note we cannot provide a timescale of when your hearing will take place, as this depends on the court listing for that day.
[i] 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.
[ii] 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.