A “special reason” is:

1. A mitigating or extenuating circumstance;
2. Not amount in law to a defence to the charge;
3. Directly connected with the commission of the offence; and
4. A reason which the court ought properly to take into consideration when imposing sentence.

Examples include:

No Insurance
- Defendant was genuinely misled into believing that there was insurance in place.

Drink driving
- Laced / spiked drinks. Short distance driven. Sudden, unanticipated (medical) emergency where there was no alternative but to drive.

Traffic signs, pedestrian crossings, school crossings
- Justification for a belief that the traffic lights had jammed
- Defendant has been misled by the actions of a police officer, or pedestrian or school crossing patrol.
- If the defendant was dealing with an emergency.

Speed Limits
- Defendant exceeds a speed limit by reason of an emergency

Contact us as soon as possible on guidance on information to provide. If you have received a summons to attend court for a motoring offence, contact us. We can normally deal with this kind of case administratively, by correspondence to the police / prosecution. Alternatively, we can represent you at court.

We are able to offer private representation for all types of motoring offences. Legal aid might be available in a limited number of cases.

Please call 0844 2640 999 for help and further information.