Cap on Speeding fines

[Exige77]

A wealthy friend recently had his day in court for a speeding transgression and we where discussing potential fines yesterday.

His brief told him speeding fines are “unlimited” but I thought there was a formula but also a cap on the maximum.

Can anybody shed any light in this ?

[Jarcy]

I believe the cap is £1,000 or £2,500 for motorway offenses (why this should be more, I'm not sure).
Plus court fees, plus victim surcharge.

[Exige77]

This was a motorway offence

[paintman]

Internet says max £2500 for motorway speeding offences.

Was your wealthy friend just being done for speeding or were there other matters not proceeded with which may have carried higher penalties?

[anonymous-user]

Jarcy said:

I believe the cap is £1,000 or £2,500 for motorway offenses (why this should be more, I'm not sure).
Plus court fees, plus victim surcharge.

If you are going to use the Americanism "offenses", shouldn't those figures be in dollars?

[martinbiz]

Maximum fine for speeding on a motorway is £2,500-00, maybe there were other trangressions, not just speeding, plenty of motoring offences do have the potential for an unlimited fine. Either that or the solictor spends most of his time conveyancing houses and knows very little about motoring law

[Exige77]

martinbiz said:

Maximum fine for speeding on a motorway is £2,500-00, maybe there were other trangressions, not just speeding, plenty of motoring offences do have the potential for an unlimited fine. Either that or the solictor spends most of his time conveyancing houses and knows very little about motoring law

I understand the solicitor was a motoring specialist with many celebrity clients.

My friends offence was straight motorway speeding but he mentioned his solicitor told him the fine could be unlimited.

I was just seeking clarification.

So it seems the fine is capped at £2,500 but other motoring offences carry an unlimited fine ?

So if the speeding turned into dangerous driving the fine could have been bigger than the £2,500 cap.

He was actually fined £1,100.

[anonymous-user]

It appears possible that your friend misunderstood what the lawyer said to him.

[Exige77]

Breadvan72 said:

It appears possible that your friend misunderstood what the lawyer said to him.

That sounds most likely

Thanks all

[Jarcy]

Breadvan72 said:

If you are going to use the Americanism "offenses", shouldn't those figures be in dollars?

I am berating myself for falling into the PH spell-check syntax trap, which it seems is set to American-English.
I spelt it correctly the first time.

[NMNeil]

Breadvan72 said:

If you are going to use the Americanism "offenses", shouldn't those figures be in dollars?

The CPS seem happy enough with "offences"
https://www.cps.gov.uk/crime-info/driving-offences

[anonymous-user]

Why would they not be? Offences is not an Americanism.

[agtlaw]

Exige77 said:

A wealthy friend recently had his day in court for a speeding transgression and we were discussing potential fines yesterday.

His brief told him speeding fines are “unlimited” but I thought there was a formula but also a cap on the maximum.

Can anybody shed any light in this ?

Level 5 offences have an unlimited fine. Speeding offences are level 4 (motorway) and level 3 (any other road).

The maximum is £2500 for a motorway offence and £1000 on any other road. There is no limit on prosecution costs.

If his brief told him something else then he had the wrong brief.

[agtlaw]

Exige77 said:

He was actually fined £1,100.

Fine + Costs + Surcharge.

or;

just the the fine? If so, then what were the costs and surcharge?

[NMNeil]

Breadvan72 said:

Why would they not be? Offences is not an Americanism.

From your previous posting
"If you are going to use the Americanism "offenses", shouldn't those figures be in dollars?"
Now it's not an Americanism?
Make up your mind

[vonhosen]

offences Vs offenses.

[NMNeil]

vonhosen said:

offences Vs offenses.

The spelling is different; I now see what a dramatic difference it makes.

[anonymous-user]

Offence and defence are English; offense and defense are American.

[Exige77]

agtlaw said:

Exige77 said:

A wealthy friend recently had his day in court for a speeding transgression and we were discussing potential fines yesterday.

His brief told him speeding fines are “unlimited” but I thought there was a formula but also a cap on the maximum.

Can anybody shed any light in this ?

Level 5 offences have an unlimited fine. Speeding offences are level 4 (motorway) and level 3 (any other road).

The maximum is £2500 for a motorway offence and £1000 on any other road. There is no limit on prosecution costs.

If his brief told him something else then he had the wrong brief.

Thanks