What is a Guilty Plea to Road Traffic Offence (Exceptional Hardship)?

If you are liable to disqualification from driving due to the number of penalty points on your licence, you may be able to avoid disqualification if you successfully argue you or others would suffer exceptional hardship.

Are you entitled to free advice?

What is included in the Fixed Fee?

The fixed fee includes:

• Obtaining and considering the prosecution papers
• Straightforward negotiations with the prosecutor about your case
• A face to face meeting to take your instructions and prepare your mitigation
• Advocacy in a local (Weston super Mare and Bridgwater) Magistrates’ Court at the first hearing when you plead guilty and you give evidence of the exceptional hardship

The fixed fee does not include:

• If your case is adjourned to a later hearing for any reason
• Complex negotiations with the prosecution about your case
• Complex enquiries about your case
• Advocacy at a court that is not local
• Any financial penalty imposed by the court
• Any subsequent appeal against sentence to the Crown Court (this should be covered by Legal Aid)

Why pay a Fixed Fee?

By paying a fixed fee at the start of your case you have certainty about the costs involved. The alternative is to pay an hourly rate (£220 plus VAT) for the time your solicitor spends on your case.