Our Pricing Approach at Shield Law
At Shield Law, we prioritise openness and fairness when it comes to the cost of the legal services we offer. Our fees cover the legal work undertaken by our team, along with ‘disbursements’—these are third-party costs related to your case, such as payments to barristers or expert witnesses. To simplify matters, we often handle disbursement payments directly on your behalf.
Skilled Legal Experts, Dedicated Support
You can be confident that your matter will be managed by a dedicated solicitor from our experienced litigation team. Our lawyers and paralegals bring specialist knowledge and years of expertise to every case. Once your case is assigned, we will introduce you to your dedicated case handler and provide a full overview of their experience and qualifications.
All cases are overseen by Shahbaz Choudhary, our senior solicitor, ensuring expert guidance throughout.
Clear and Fair Fee Structure
We typically charge on an hourly fixed-fee basis. Below are the current hourly rates for our legal team, unless otherwise agreed in a specific funding arrangement:
- Solicitor with 4+ years PQE: £350 (£420 including VAT at 20%)
- Solicitor with under 4 years PQE: £250 (£300 including VAT at 20%)
- Trainee Solicitor / Paralegal: £150 (£180 including VAT at 20%)
Magistrates Court Traffic Offences
We believe in full transparency, especially regarding summary motoring offences under Part I of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Section 89 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This applies to charges such as driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, careless driving, and failing to stop or report an accident.
Typical cost estimates for these cases are as follows:
- Early guilty plea: £500 (£600 including VAT at 20%)
- Trial representation: £1,200 (£1,440 including VAT at 20%)
Please note these costs can vary depending on case specifics such as the need for expert reports, witness statements, advice for special reasons hearings, or appeals.
Trial Costs and Complexity
For trial matters, we offer fixed pricing structures. However, should your case become more complex or proceed to appeal, additional fees may apply. The number of court sitting days will also affect the overall cost.
Additional Expenses: Disbursements
Beyond our fees, you may incur ‘disbursements’ — charges for services like expert witness reports, medical record retrieval, witness statements, and advice related to appeals or special hearings. For a personalised cost estimate, please get in touch.
What Our Fees Cover
Our pricing includes work across key stages of Magistrates court traffic cases, such as:
- Explaining your options and providing ongoing advice
- Guidance on relevant laws and court procedures
- Assessing eligibility and potential defence strategies
- Reviewing and analysing evidence
- Advising on sentencing possibilities
- Court attendance and consultations before hearings
- Discussing outcomes, with additional fees for appeals advice
Case Timelines
Unfortunately, court hearing dates are outside our control and can vary widely, so we cannot provide exact timelines for when your case will be heard.