On the Cowal peninsula, a driving licence is not a convenience — it is the thing that makes daily life work. Public transport is limited, the road route to the central belt is long, and the ferry crossings still require a car at either end. Charles Ferguson Solicitors are specialist road traffic defence lawyers acting for drivers across Argyll and Bute from our Glasgow office at 20-23 Woodside Place, G3 7QL.
Dunoon Sheriff Court — Road Traffic Cases
Road traffic prosecutions arising in Dunoon and the Cowal area are heard at Dunoon Sheriff Court, George Street, Dunoon PA23 8BQ, within the Sheriffdom of North Strathclyde. Lower-tariff motoring matters may be dealt with at the Justice of the Peace Court, while the most serious cases such as causing death by dangerous driving are prosecuted at the High Court of Justiciary. We defend every category of road traffic charge and understand how motoring prosecutions progress through this court.
Road Traffic Offences We Defend
Drink Driving and Drug Driving — Scotland's 50mg limit is the lowest in the UK and catches many drivers unaware. We challenge Intoximeter accuracy, procedural compliance, and advance the hip flask defence where the evidence supports it. Dangerous Driving — a minimum 12-month disqualification and possible custody. Careless Driving — we assess whether the driving genuinely fell below the required standard. Speeding — including camera evidence on the A815 and A885. We examine calibration certificates and Notice of Intended Prosecution timing, which must be served within 14 days. Totting Up and Exceptional Hardship — at 12 or more points the court must disqualify for at least 6 months unless exceptional hardship is proven. Driving Without Insurance — 6 to 8 points or discretionary disqualification. Mobile Phone Offences — 6 points per conviction. Driving While Disqualified — a serious charge with custody implications.
Exceptional Hardship on the Peninsula
Losing a licence in Cowal has consequences that would not arise in a city. Tradespeople covering the peninsula, forestry and marine workers, ferry and harbour staff, delivery drivers, and community health and care workers travelling to outlying settlements all depend absolutely on being able to drive, and the alternatives are often not there. Exceptional hardship must nonetheless be proven with credible evidence and sound legal argument — it is never granted automatically. We prepare and present these applications thoroughly. 24/7 availability on 0141 345 5735. Transparent fees. Legal Aid where applicable.
Areas Served Across Cowal and Argyll
We defend motoring charges across the Cowal peninsula and surrounding area, including Dunoon, Hunter's Quay, Sandbank, Kirn, Innellan, Toward, Strone, Kilmun, Ardentinny, Tighnabruaich, Colintraive, and the Isle of Bute. Offences on the A815, A885, A83, and local roads all fall within our regular practice.