What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Indefencible
I have now heard from the Ministry of Justice regarding the situation over motorists defence costs. I would summarize proposal 2009 No. 2720 as follows: A Court may make a Defendant's Cost Order on application where a defendant is found not guilty or has the charges withdrawn. The rates and scales for recovering costs are limited to the Legal Aid Rates (www.justice.gov.uk/publications/defendant-costs-orders-rates.htm), which currently in the Magistrate's Court for solicitors include an hourly rate of £49.70 for preparation, £62.35 for advocacy and £26.30 travelling time + waiting time. Additionally, they can recover the costs of Expert's reports and attendance and other disbursements provided they are reasonable.
Asked on 15 May 2010 by A.B., JP, Horsham
Answered by
Honest John
Many thanks. That is completely clear, though the amounts are totally
inadequate for a proper defence. It means that should an innocent motorist be unjustly accused of an offence that could rob him of his livelihood he has to pay his own defence costs or simply roll over and take the expedient option of pretending to be guilty. They should re-name this department 'Ministry of Injustice'. It’s why every motorist now needs a legal protection insurance policy to fund a proper defence should it become necessary.
inadequate for a proper defence. It means that should an innocent motorist be unjustly accused of an offence that could rob him of his livelihood he has to pay his own defence costs or simply roll over and take the expedient option of pretending to be guilty. They should re-name this department 'Ministry of Injustice'. It’s why every motorist now needs a legal protection insurance policy to fund a proper defence should it become necessary.
Similar questions
I have just received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute from Essex Police. This states that I have exceeded a temporary limit of 50 miles an hour on a motorway road works section on the M25, which was...
I have been caught doing 103mph while my wife was pregnant and was in pain. She texted me while I was on a job and I drove back home in a panic. I told the officer all of this. He said you’ll be getting...
I feel very strongly that you should be more careful about the frequent advice you give your readers to use the Small Claims track of the County Court, because the fact of the matter is that this justice...
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
