The Serious Fraud Office (Witnesses' etc. Allowances) Regulations 1988

Reimbursement of travelling expenses incurred by witnesses and others

9.—(1) Where a person who is entitled to an allowance under any of regulations 5 to 8 above travels to or from the place of his attendance by public transport (including by air) he shall, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) below, be entitled to be reimbursed the fare actually paid.

(2) Unless the appropriate officer for special reason authorises otherwise, only the standard fare shall be reimbursed under paragraph (1) above for travel by railway.

(3) Where such person travels to or from such place by air his entitlement under paragraph (1) above to be reimbursed the fare actually paid arises only if, in the opinion of the appropriate officer—

(a) there was no reasonable alternative to travel by air and the class of fare paid was reasonable in all the circumstances; or

(b) travel by air was more economical in the circumstances (taking into account any savings of time resulting from the adoption of such mode of travel and its consequent effect in reducing the amount of allowances payable under other provisions of these Regulations).

(4) Where such person travels to or from such place by a hired vehicle, he shall be entitled to be reimbursed in respect thereof—

(a) in a case of urgency or where no public service is reasonably available, the amount of the fare and any reasonable gratuity paid; and

(b) in any other case, the amount of the fare for travel by the appropriate public service.

(5) Where such person travels to or from such place by a private motor vehicle, other than one in respect of which reimbursement under this paragraph is claimed by another person in respect of the same journey, he shall be entitled to be reimbursed in respect thereof—

(a) in a case to which paragraph (6) below applies by payment of mileage at the “standard rate” determined under regulation 4 above and of any parking fee actually and reasonably incurred; and

(b) in any other case, by payment of mileage at the “public transport rate” so determined.

(6) This paragraph applies where a journey to or from such place is necessarily undertaken by private motor vehicle or where the use of the vehicle is more economical in the circumstances (taking into account the factors mentioned in parenthesis in paragraph (3)(b) above) or is otherwise reasonable.