2013 No. 2804

Legal Aid And Advice, England And Wales

The Criminal Defence Service (Very High Cost Cases) (Funding) Order 2013

Made

Laid before Parliament

Coming into force

The Lord Chancellor makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 14(3) and 25(8) and (8A) of the Access to Justice Act 19991.

Citation and commencement1

This Order may be cited as the Criminal Defence Service (Very High Cost Cases) (Funding) Order 2013 and comes into force on 2nd December 2013.

Application2

This Order applies in relation to fees for work undertaken on or after 2nd December 2013.

Amendment to paragraph 25 of Schedule 2 to the Criminal Defence Service (Funding) Order 20073

1

The Criminal Defence Service (Funding) Order 20072 is amended as follows.

2

For the first two tables following paragraph 25 of Schedule 2 substitute—

Preparation (hourly rates)

Category 1

£

Category 2

£

Category 3

£

Category 4

£

Counsel

QC

106.75

83.30

66.85

66.85

Leading junior

93.10

73.15

58.45

58.45

Led junior

66.85

53.20

45.50

45.50

Junior alone

73.15

59.85

51.80

51.80

2nd led junior

46.90

37.10

32.20

32.20

Solicitor-advocate

Leading level A

106.75

83.30

66.85

66.85

Led level A

93.10

73.15

58.45

58.45

Leading level B

93.10

73.15

58.45

58.45

Led level B

77.00

63.35

48.30

48.30

Level A alone

96.60

80.50

65.45

65.45

Level B alone

81.20

69.65

54.95

54.95

Second advocate

46.90

37.10

32.20

32.20

Advocacy

Preliminary hearing

£

Half day

£

Full day

£

QC

83.30

175.00

350.00

Leading junior

63.35

143.68

287.00

Led junior

42.70

92.93

185.85

Junior alone

49.00

105.00

210.00

2nd led junior

24.85

47.25

94.50

Noting junior

21.35

40.25

80.50.

3

Subject to paragraph (4), the amendments made by this article apply to work done pursuant to any Task List agreed between the litigator and the Lord Chancellor on or after 2nd December 2013.

4

The amendments made by this article do not apply to work done in a case in which—

a

the court has set a trial date before 2nd December 2013; and

b

that trial date is on or before 31st March 2014.

5

For the purpose of paragraph (4), any adjournment or postponement of a trial which takes place after the trial date is set must be disregarded.

6

In this article, “Task List” has the meaning given in the contract made between the Commission3 and members of the Very High Cost Case (Crime) Panel and dated 14th January 2008, as amended on 13th November 2008, 15th December 2008 and 5th May 20094.

Proceedings which are the subject of the contracts for members of the Very High Cost Case (Crime) Panel4

1

Fees in a relevant case must be paid—

a

in accordance with the terms of a contract referred to in paragraph (2); and

b

at the rates set out for the appropriate category and level of representative set out in Schedule 1 to this Order.

2

In this article, a relevant case means a case which is the subject of a contract made between the Commission and members of the Very High Cost Case (Crime) Panel and dated 14th January 2008, as amended on 13th November 2008, 15th December 2008 and 5th May 2009.

3

In this article and Schedule 1, the “Very High Cost Case (Crime) Panel” means the panel set up by the Commission from which representatives were chosen to provide representation in Very High Cost Cases.

Proceedings which are the subject of a 2010 VHCC contract5

1

Fees in a relevant case must be paid—

a

in accordance with the terms of the 2010 VHCC contract; and

b

at the rates set out for the appropriate category and level of representative set out in Schedule 2 to this Order.

2

In this article, a relevant case means a case which is the subject of a 2010 VHCC contract;

3

In this article and Schedule 2, “2010 VHCC contract” means the contract so named between the Commission and a provider of services consisting of representation in criminal proceedings5.

Signed by authority of the Lord Chancellor

Shailesh VaraParliamentary Under Secretary of StateMinistry of Justice

SCHEDULE 1

Article 4

PART 1Interpretation and Application

Interpretation1

1

In this Schedule—

a

“contract” means the contract made between the Commission and members of the Very High Cost Case (Crime) Panel and dated 14th January 2008, as amended on 13th November 2008, 15th December 2008 and 5th May 2009;

b

a reference to a level is a reference to a level as described in the contract;

c

a reference to a category is a reference to that category as described in the contract;

d

the standard rates apply to work as described in the contract;

e

the full day rate applies where the advocate is in court for more than 3.5 hours;

f

the half day rate applies where the advocate is in court—

i

at trial for 3.5 hours or less; or

ii

for any hearing lasting for more than 2 hours, other than a trial, to which the full day rate does not apply; and

g

the preliminary hearing rate applies where a hearing, other than a trial, lasts two hours or less.

2

In Table 2, a reference to a junior includes a solicitor-advocate.

Application2

1

Part 2 of this Schedule applies to work done pursuant to any Task List agreed between a member of the Very High Cost Case (Crime) Panel and the Lord Chancellor before 2nd December 2013.

2

Subject to sub-paragraph (3), Part 3 of this Schedule applies to work done pursuant to any Task List agreed between a member of the Very High Cost Case (Crime) Panel and the Lord Chancellor on or after 2nd December 2013.

3

Part 2 of the Schedule applies to work done in a case in which—

a

the court has set a trial date before 2nd December 2013; and

b

that trial date is on or before 31st March 2014.

4

For the purpose of sub-paragraph (3), any adjournment or postponement of a trial which takes place after the trial date is set must be disregarded.

5

In this paragraph, “Task List” has the meaning given in the contract.

PART 2

Table 1Preparation (hourly rates)

Category 1

£

Category 2

£

Category 3

£

Category 4

£

Standard rates

£

Solicitor

Level A

152.50

119.00

95.50

95.50

55.75

Level B

133.00

104.50

83.50

83.50

47.25

Level C

88.50

69.00

54.00

54.00

34.00

Pupil/junior

48.00

38.50

31.50

31.50

Counsel

QC

152.50

119.00

95.50

95.50

Leading junior

133.00

104.50

83.50

83.50

Led junior

95.50

76.00

65.00

65.00

Junior alone

104.50

85.50

74.00

74.00

2nd led junior

67.00

53.00

46.00

46.00

Solicitor Advocate

Leading level A

152.50

119.00

95.50

95.50

Led level A

133.00

104.50

83.50

83.50

Leading level B

133.00

104.50

83.50

83.50

Led level B

110.00

90.50

69.00

69.00

Level A alone

138.00

115.00

93.50

93.50

Level B alone

116.00

99.50

78.50

78.50

Second advocate

67.00

53.00

46.00

46.00

Table 2 Advocacy

Preliminary hearing

£

Half day

£

Full day

£

QC

119.00

250.00

500.00

Leading junior

90.50

205.25

410.50

Led junior

61.00

132.75

265.50

Junior alone

70.00

150.00

300.00

2nd led junior

35.50

67.50

135.00

Noting junior

30.50

57.50

115.00

Table 3 Attendance at court with Counsel (hourly rates for solicitors)

£

Level A

42.25

Level B

34.00

Level C

20.50

Table 4 Travelling, waiting and mileage

£

Travelling

25 per hour (up to a maximum of 4 hours in one day)

Waiting

25 per hour

Mileage

0.45 per mile

PART 3

Table 1Preparation (hourly rates)

Category 1

£

Category 2

£

Category 3

£

Category 4

£

Standard rates

£

Solicitor

Level A

106.75

83.30

66.85

66.85

39.03

Level B

93.10

73.15

58.45

58.45

33.08

Level C

61.95

48.30

37.80

37.80

23.80

Pupil/junior

33.60

26.95

22.05

22.05

Counsel

QC

106.75

83.30

66.85

66.85

Leading junior

93.10

73.15

58.45

58.45

Led junior

66.85

53.20

45.50

45.50

Junior alone

73.15

59.85

51.80

51.80

2nd led junior

46.90

37.10

32.20

32.20

Solicitor Advocate

Leading level A

106.75

83.30

66.85

66.85

Led level A

93.10

73.15

58.45

58.45

Leading level B

93.10

73.15

58.45

58.45

Led level B

77.00

63.35

48.30

48.30

Level A alone

96.60

80.50

65.45

65.45

Level B alone

81.20

69.65

54.95

54.95

Second advocate

46.90

37.10

32.20

32.20

Table 2Advocacy

Preliminary hearing

£

Half day

£

Full day

£

QC

83.30

175.00

350.00

Leading junior

63.35

143.68

287.00

Led junior

42.70

92.93

185.85

Junior alone

49.00

105.00

210.00

2nd led junior

24.85

47.25

94.50

Noting junior

21.35

40.25

80.50

Table 3Attendance at court with Counsel (hourly rates for solicitors)

£

Level A

29.58

Level B

23.80

Level C

14.35

Table 4Travelling, waiting and mileage

£

Travelling

25 per hour (up to a maximum of 4 hours in one day)

Waiting

25 per hour

Mileage

0.45 per mile

SCHEDULE 2

Article 5

PART 1Interpretation and Application

Interpretation1

1

In this Schedule—

a

a reference to a level is a reference to that level as defined in the 2010 VHCC contract;

b

a reference to a category is a reference to that category as defined in that contract;

c

the standard rates apply to work as described in the 2010 VHCC Contract Guidance6; and

d

the preliminary hearing, half day and full day rates apply as described in that guidance.

2

In Table 2, a reference to a junior includes a solicitor-advocate.

Application2

1

Part 2 of this Schedule applies to work done pursuant to any Task List agreed between a provider of services and the Lord Chancellor before 2nd December 2013.

2

Subject to sub-paragraph (3), Part 3 of this Schedule applies to work done pursuant to any new Task List agreed between a provider of services and the Lord Chancellor on or after 2nd December 2013.

3

Part 2 of the Schedule applies to work done in a case in which—

a

the court has set a trial date before 2nd December 2013; and

b

that trial date is on or before 31st March 2014.

4

For the purpose of sub-paragraph (3), any adjournment or postponement of a trial which takes place after the trial date is set must be disregarded.

5

In this paragraph, “Task List” has the meaning given in the 2010 VHCC contract.

PART 2

Table 1Preparation (hourly rates)

Category 1

£

Category 2

£

Category 3

£

Category 4

£

Standard rates

£

Litigator

Level A

145.00

113.00

91.00

91.00

55.75

Level B

127.00

100.00

79.00

79.00

47.25

Level C

84.00

65.00

51.00

51.00

34.00

Pupil/junior

45.00

36.00

30.00

30.00

Barrister

QC

145.00

113.00

91.00

91.00

Leading junior

127.00

100.00

79.00

79.00

Led junior

91.00

73.00

61.00

61.00

Junior alone

100.00

82.00

70.00

70.00

2nd led junior

63.00

50.00

43.00

43.00

Solicitor Advocate

Leading level A

145.00

113.00

91.00

91.00

Led level A

127.00

100.00

79.00

79.00

Leading level B

127.00

100.00

79.00

79.00

Led level B

104.00

86.00

66.00

66.00

Level A alone

131.00

109.00

88.00

88.00

Level B alone

113.00

95.00

75.00

75.00

Second advocate

63.00

50.00

43.00

43.00

Table 2Advocacy

Preliminary hearing

£

Half day

£

Full day

£

QC

113.00

238.00

476.00

Leading junior

86.00

195.00

390.00

Led junior

58.00

126.00

252.00

Junior alone

67.00

143.00

285.00

2nd led junior

34.00

64.00

128.00

Noting junior

29.00

55.00

109.00

Table 3Attendance at court with Counsel (hourly rates for solicitors)

£

Level A

42.25

Level B

34.00

Level C

20.50

Table 4Travelling, waiting and mileage

£

Travelling

25 per hour (up to a maximum of 4 hours in one day)

Waiting

25 per hour

Mileage

0.45 per mile

PART 3

Table 1Preparation (hourly rates)

Category 1

£

Category 2

£

Category 3

£

Category 4

£

Standard rates

£

Litigator

Level A

101.50

79.10

63.70

63.70

39.03

Level B

88.90

70.00

55.30

55.30

33.08

Level C

58.80

45.50

35.70

35.70

24.50

Pupil/junior

31.50

25.20

21.00

21.00

Barrister

QC

101.50

79.10

63.70

63.70

Leading junior

88.90

70.00

55.30

55.30

Led junior

63.70

51.10

42.70

42.70

Junior alone

70.00

57.40

49.00

49.00

2nd led junior

44.10

35.00

30.10

30.10

Solicitor Advocate

Leading level A

101.50

79.10

63.70

63.70

Led level A

88.90

70.00

55.30

55.30

Leading level B

88.90

70.00

55.30

55.30

Led level B

72.80

60.20

46.20

46.20

Level A alone

91.70

76.30

61.60

61.60

Level B alone

79.10

66.50

52.50

52.50

Second advocate

44.10

35.00

30.10

30.10

Table 2Advocacy

Preliminary hearing

£

Half day

£

Full day

£

QC

79.10

166.60

333.20

Leading junior

60.20

136.50

273.00

Led junior

40.60

88.20

176.40

Junior alone

46.90

100.10

199.50

2nd led junior

23.80

44.80

89.60

Noting junior

20.30

38.50

76.30

Table 3Attendance at court with Advocate (hourly rates for litigators)

£

Level A

29.58

Level B

23.80

Level C

14.35

Table 4Travelling, waiting and mileage

£

Travelling (hourly rates)

25.00 (up to a maximum of 4 hours in one day)

Waiting (hourly rates)

25.00

Mileage

0.45 per mile

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order provides for the remuneration of services provided under Part 1 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 (c.22) as part of the Criminal Defence Service. It applies to Very High Cost Cases which are the subject of a contract made between the Commission and members of the Very High Case Contract (Crime) Panel (“the 2008 panel”) and dated 14th January 2008 (as amended on 13th November 2008, 15th December 2008 and 5th May 2009) (“2008 VHCC contract”) or a 2010 VHCC contract.

This Order applies in relation to fees for work undertaken on or after 2 December 2013. It provides for new, reduced fees payable for work done pursuant to any Task List agreed between a member of the 2008 panel or a provider under a 2010 VHCC contract and the Lord Chancellor on or after 2nd December 2013. The previous fees will continue to apply to work done pursuant to a Task List agreed before 2nd December 2013 and in any case where, before 2nd December 2013, the court has set a date for trial which is on or before 31st March 2014. The amendment made to the Criminal Defence Service (Funding) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1174) provides for the rates applicable to advocates who are not members of the 2008 panel.

A full impact assessment of the effect of the policy implemented by this instrument on the costs of business and the voluntary sector was produced with the Government’s response to consultation, Transforming Legal Aid: Next Steps, and is available at https://consult.justice.gov.uk/.