Criminal legal assistance: retrospective revision of fixed payment regulations
72.Section 8 of the Act inserts new subsections (3AA), (3AB) and (3AC) into section 33 of the 1986 Act. These new subsections will enable regulations made under section 33(3A) (which amend or replace existing regulations made under section 33(3A)) to apply retrospectively. This retrospective power is for the purpose of ensuring that no person is deprived of the right to a fair trial as a result of the total amount payable under the regulations prior to amendment or replacement. The regulations would apply retrospectively to any commenced and continuing proceedings where criminal legal assistance was being provided when the amendment or replacement regulations come into force.