The Criminal Defence Service (General) (No. 2) Regulations 2001

Authorisation of expenditure

19.—(1) Where it appears to the solicitor necessary for the proper conduct of proceedings in the Crown Court for costs to be incurred under the representation order by taking any of the following steps:

(a) obtaining a written report or opinion of one or more experts;

(b) employing a person to provide a written report or opinion (otherwise than as an expert);

(c) obtaining any transcripts or recordings; or

(d) performing an act which is either unusual in its nature or involves unusually large expenditure

he may apply to the Costs Committee for prior authority to do so.

(2) The Commission may authorise a person acting on behalf of the Costs Committee to grant prior authority in respect of any application made under paragraph (1).

(3) Where the Costs Committee or a person acting on its behalf authorises the taking of any step specified in paragraph (1), it shall also authorise the maximum to be paid in respect of that step.