Fines for Overloading In the Hundreds Rather Than (Tens of) Thousands of Pounds

Laura Newton represented a company and driver who were both charged with an overloading offence, being prosecuted in the Magistrates’ Court by DVSA. The vehicle was 41% overloaded. Courts have a power to impose an unlimited fine and the penalties quite often are in the tens of thousands, due to the Court Sentencing Guidelines. In this case, we were able to present very strong mitigation about the offence itself and the steps taken since the offence. The fines imposed by Court were limited to £984 on the company and £120 on the driver.