MC Solicitors · Criminal Defence

Private Motoring Fees

At MC Solicitors, we are firm believers in transparency. From the very beginning, we are completely upfront about our fees and will keep you updated throughout your case. You will always know exactly what to expect — specialist, confidential criminal defence advice.

Call 01733 475504 Make an enquiry

Privately funded motoring representation

Private Motoring Defence & Fees

Your licence. Your livelihood. Your future.

A motoring allegation can have consequences far beyond the courtroom. Losing your driving licence may affect your work, business, family responsibilities and independence. At MC Solicitors, we provide careful, specialist criminal defence advice and tailored privately funded representation, with a clear explanation of costs from the outset.

Call 01733 475504 View our fees

Think Defence. Think MC.
Your Defence. Our Fight. Because you matter.

Specialist criminal defence

When driving matters, the defence matters.

Whether you are responding to a speeding allegation, facing prosecution for drink or drug driving, or concerned about a possible disqualification, understanding your legal position early is important.

MC Solicitors examines the evidence, considers the available legal arguments and advises on the practical consequences of the allegation. We discuss the approach to your case with you and ensure your instructions are properly understood.

For privately funded clients, we offer a bespoke service built around a clearly agreed scope of work, appropriate preparation and direct, straightforward communication.

01
Individual attention
We listen to what is at stake for you and provide advice on your actual circumstances.
02
Careful preparation
We review the available evidence and consider the options before advising on how to proceed.
03
Transparent private fees
You receive a written quotation explaining the agreed work, likely costs and any exclusions.

Our published fees

Clear fees. Defined work.

Our published price guide below covers the services described. The amount payable will depend on the nature and complexity of your case, the work required, court location and the seniority of the person instructed. We will provide a written quotation and explain what it includes before you instruct us.

Before proceedings

Initial advice and advance meeting

Up to £500

Advance meeting pre-court proceedings advice on a fixed fee basis — i.e. advice on speeding, totting up, completion and return of documents to the police.

What’s included and excluded

Advanced meetings are calculated based on an assessment of the time and the seniority of the solicitor meeting with you. The hourly rate for a Senior Solicitor is between £250 to £300 per hour.

The time allocated to a fixed-fee meeting is based on a maximum of two hours’ work. This may include a combination of pre-meeting preparation, reading any relevant case materials and the meeting itself.

This can be in person or virtually — to be agreed.

Pre-court / written advocacy

Written representations and mitigation

£1,000–£1,500

In some cases, we can seek to persuade the Police or CPS not to commence court proceedings. Where appropriate, we will prepare mitigation on your behalf and can submit written representations in support of your position.

What’s included and excluded

Before preparing written submissions, we will meet with you to take full instructions. Depending on the evidence available at that stage, we will review the case papers and prepare written mitigation aimed at persuading the court not to impose a driving ban, where the law allows.

The cost for this work typically ranges between £1,000 – £1,500, which covers up to six hours of professional time. Representation at court is not included and would be charged separately.

The costs for this service would typically cover some or all of the following:

Reading the evidence
One meeting (either in person or virtually) for preparation and discussion
Taking your instructions
Advising you on your plea at court
Advising any defences you might have
Providing advice on the likely sentence and mitigation
Drafting written submissions on your behalf

Any additional meetings, calls, or further written submissions beyond what is included in the fixed fee will be charged separately, based on the time spent and the seniority of the solicitor involved, unless a further fixed fee is agreed. This fixed fee does not include the cost of instructing experts, or third-party or other disbursements.

Magistrates’ Court / single hearing

Guilty plea representation

£500–£1,000

Representation at one Magistrates' Court hearing following a guilty plea. Based on up to two hours of preparation and attendance as described in the existing published fee schedule.

What’s included and excluded

Fee includes:

2 hours attendance/preparation
Considering evidence
Taking your instructions
Providing advice on likely sentence
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 and assistance in relation to an exceptional hardship argument
Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal

If the hearing is outside of Peterborough, there will be an additional fee for travel. If the case is adjourned for another hearing to take place, you will be advised on an additional cost.

Contested proceedings

Trial preparation and representation

£1,500–£4,000

Preparing for a contested Magistrates' Court trial and representing you at trial, with the final quotation reflecting the evidence, witnesses, court and advocate required.

What’s included and excluded

Preparation for trial and representation at the hearing will typically range between £1,500 – £4,000, depending on the complexity of the case, the court location, and the seniority of the advocate instructed.

Trial preparation and attendance may include some or all of the following:

Attending/preparation virtually or in person as agreed or necessary
Considering evidence
Taking your instructions
Advising you on your plea at court and credit
Advising you on the strength and weaknesses of your case
Advising you on available defences and likely prospect of success at trial
Taking statements from any witnesses
Providing advice on likely sentence

The fee does not include:

Instruction of any expert witnesses
Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal
Disbursements

Pricing basis: The senior solicitor hourly rate published by MC Solicitors is £250–£300. Fees may be fixed where suitable; otherwise the work and estimated time will be agreed in writing. Prices above are the firm's existing advertised amounts and are subject to confirmation in an individual quotation. All fees quoted are subject to VAT at 20%.

Where further representation is needed

Additional hearings and applications

Some matters require additional hearings or specific legal arguments. These services are quoted separately where they are not part of your original agreed instruction; we will explain the additional work and its cost in advance.

Plea & Case Management

£1,000 – £1,500

Representation at court for a plea to be entered and, if applicable, case management and case progression will be a fixed fee for one attendance. Cost depends on the case, location and seniority of the Advocate.

Sentencing Hearings

£1,000 – £1,500

Sentencing hearings, if not covered either at the first plea hearing or immediately following the conclusion of a trial. This would depend on the location, seniority of the Advocate and on the case complexities.

Exceptional Hardship Argument

£1,500 – £3,000

To keep your driving licence with 12 points or more on your licence would involve a minimum of one attendance with you, preparation and court hearing. Cost depends on the case complexities, location and seniority of the Advocate.

Special Reasons Hearing

£1,500

This would include preparation and submission of your argument and one court hearing. In some cases additional costs may apply. These are charged separately and will always be discussed with you in advance.

Examples of additional costs include:

Expert Reports — costs vary depending on the nature of the report and the Expert’s fees
Travel, mileage and standard parking fees

Costs and expectations

Know what is included before you instruct us.

What affects your final quote?

Type, seriousness and complexity of the allegation
Volume of evidence and number of witnesses
Whether your case involves a guilty plea or contested hearing
Number and length of hearings
Court location and any travel required

Where work is charged by the hour, the applicable rate and estimated number of hours will be set out in your quotation.

Possible additional costs

Expert reports, which depend on the expert and questions involved
Travel, mileage and standard parking fees
Additional conferences, witness statements or hearings outside the agreed scope
Appeals or other separate proceedings

Any court-imposed fine, surcharge or prosecution costs are separate from our legal fees. We will explain foreseeable third-party expenses, including their likely amount or range if available, before you decide whether to incur them.

From first instructions to court

Timescales

We aim to handle all matters efficiently, but timescales are subject to court availability and case complexity. For guilty pleas, we typically anticipate attending court for half a day. For trials, preparation and attendance will take longer depending on the evidence and witnesses involved.

VAT Information

All fees quoted are subject to VAT at 20%.

About your defence team

Experience. Preparation. Personal commitment.

MC Solicitors is a specialist criminal defence practice founded by Michelle Canagasuriam, LL.B (Hons), LL.M, a solicitor with over 20 years' experience in criminal defence.

The firm represents clients from police station investigations through Magistrates' Court and Crown Court proceedings. We approach motoring matters with the same attention to evidence, sound advice and client care that we bring to our wider criminal practice.

Our commitment to you

Clear advice about the allegation, available options and realistic consequences
Careful consideration of evidence and applicable legal arguments
Personal communication and a defined scope of privately funded work
Written costs information and advance discussion of additional work
Appropriate advocacy before the Magistrates' Court

Motoring. Think Defence. Think MC. Call 01733 475504.

Private funding. Bespoke criminal defence service with Michelle’s direct involvement. MC Solicitors. Call 01733 475504.

Private motoring defence

Discuss your case with MC Solicitors.

If you have received a notice, been charged with a motoring offence or are facing a court hearing, contact us to discuss the work required and obtain a clear quotation for private representation.

Call 01733 475504 Send an enquiry

Think Defence. Think MC. | Your Defence. Our Fight. | Because you matter.

Private Motoring Fees

Private Motoring Defence & Fees

When driving matters, the defence matters.

Clear fees. Defined work.

Initial advice and advance meeting

Written representations and mitigation

Guilty plea representation

Trial preparation and representation

Additional hearings and applications

Plea & Case Management

Sentencing Hearings

Exceptional Hardship Argument

Special Reasons Hearing

Know what is included before you instruct us.

What affects your final quote?

Possible additional costs

Timescales

Experience. Preparation. Personal commitment.

Discuss your case with MC Solicitors.

YOUR DEFENCE. OUR FIGHT.