2013 No. 9
The Criminal Legal Aid (General) Regulations 2013
Made
Laid before Parliament
Coming into force
The Lord Chancellor makes the following Regulations1 in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 5(2) and (4), 13(4) and (5), 14(h), 15(1), (4) to (7) and (9), 16(4) and (6), 17(4), 18(3), (4) and (6), 28(1) and (3), 30(2) and (3), 41(1), (2) and (3) of, and paragraphs 4(1) and (3), 5(4), (7) and (13) and 9(3) of Schedule 3 to, the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 20122.
In making these Regulations, in accordance with section 15(3)3 of that Act, the Lord Chancellor has had regard, in particular, to the interests of justice.
PART 1Interpretation and General
Citation and commencementI11
These Regulations may be cited as the Criminal Legal Aid (General) Regulations 2013 and come into force on 1st April 2013.
InterpretationI32
In these Regulations—
“the Act” means the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012;
“constable” means a member of a police force, an officer of the British Transport Police Force, an officer of Revenue and Customs and any other official who has a power of arrest by virtue of their office;
“criminal legal aid” means advice, assistance and representation made available under sections 13, 15 and 16 of the Act;
F8“Financial Resources Regulations” means the Criminal Legal Aid (Financial Resources) Regulations 2013;
“provider” means a person with whom the Lord Chancellor has made an arrangement under section 2(1) of the Act (arrangements) for the provision of criminal legal aid;
“representation order” means a document which records a determination under section 16 of the Act (representation for criminal proceedings);
“Unit of Work” has the meaning given in paragraph 1.5 of Part A of the Specification to the 2010 Standard Crime Contract; and
“2010 Standard Crime Contract” means the contract so named between the Lord Chancellor and providers for the provision of criminal legal aid4.
Disregarding determinationsI143
A determination may be disregarded if made in response to an application made otherwise than in accordance with these Regulations.
DelegationI154
Reporting dutyI165
1
Notwithstanding the relationship between an individual and the provider or any privilege arising out of that relationship, where the provider knows or suspects that the individual—
a
has failed without good reason to comply with a requirement to provide information or documents; or
b
in providing such required information or documents has made a statement or representation knowing or believing it to be false,
the provider must immediately report the relevant circumstances to the Director.
2
The withdrawal of a determination does not affect a provider’s right to remuneration for work done prior to the date on which a determination is withdrawn under these Regulations unless the provider has failed without good reason to comply with the reporting requirements in paragraph (1).
Transfer of documentsI76
1
This regulation applies where an individual—
a
is sent, committed or transferred for trial to the Crown Court; or
b
appeals or seeks permission to appeal from a lower court to a higher court.
2
An officer of the lower court must ensure that the following documents are sent from the lower court to the higher court—
a
a copy of any representation order made in the proceedings; and
b
a copy of any application for a representation order in relation to the proceedings which has been refused.
PART 2Advice and assistance for individuals in custody
GeneralI177
This Part makes provision about the making of determinations by the Director under section 13 of the Act (advice and assistance for individuals in custody).
ApplicationsI88
An application for initial advice and initial assistance must be made—
a
to the Defence Solicitor Call Centre established by the Lord Chancellor under section 2 of the Act (arrangements); and
b
in accordance with the requirements set out in the 2010 Standard Crime Contract for the Unit of Work which is the subject of the application.
PART 3Criminal proceedings
Criminal proceedingsI29
The following proceedings are criminal proceedings for the purposes of section 14(h) of the Act (criminal proceedings)—
a
civil proceedings in a magistrates’ court arising from a failure to pay a sum due or to obey an order of that court where such failure carries the risk of imprisonment;
b
proceedings under sections 14B, 14D, 14G, 14H, 21B and 21D of the Football Spectators Act 19897 in relation to banning orders and references to a court;
c
proceedings under section 5A of the Protection from Harassment Act 19978 in relation to restraining orders on acquittal;
F11d
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F11e
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F12f
proceedings in relation to parenting orders made under section 8(1)(b) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 where an order under section 22 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 or a sexual harm prevention order under section 103A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 is made;
g
proceedings under section 8(1)(c) of the Crime and Disorder Act 199812 in relation to parenting orders made on the conviction of a child;
h
proceedings under section 9(5) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to discharge or vary a parenting order made as set out in sub-paragraph (f) or (g);
i
proceedings under section 10 of the Crime and Disorder Act 199813 in relation to an appeal against a parenting order made as set out in sub-paragraph (f) or (g);
j
proceedings under Part 1A of Schedule 1 to the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 200014 in relation to parenting orders for failure to comply with orders under section 20 of that Act;
F18ja
proceedings in a youth court (or on appeal from such a court) in relation to the breach or potential breach of a provision of an injunction under Part 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 where the person who is subject to the injunction is aged under 14;
F13k
proceedings under sections 80, 82, 83 and 84 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 in relation to closure orders made under section 80(5)(a) of that Act where a person has engaged in, or is likely to engage in behaviour that constitutes a criminal offence on the premises;
F19ka
proceedings under paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 in relation to female genital mutilation protection orders made other than on conviction and related appeals;
kb
proceedings under paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 to the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 in relation to female genital mutilation protection orders made under paragraph 3 of that Schedule;
l
proceedings under sections 20, 22, 26 and 28 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 200316 in relation to parenting orders—
i
in cases of exclusion from school; or
ii
in respect of criminal conduct and anti-social behaviour;
m
proceedings under sections 97, 100 and 101 of the Sexual Offences Act 200317 in relation to notification orders and interim notification orders;
F14n
proceedings under sections 103A, 103E, 103F and 103H of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in relation to sexual harm prevention orders;
F15o
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F16p
proceedings under sections 122A, 122D, 122E and 122G of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in relation to sexual risk orders;
F17q
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
r
proceedings under section 13 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 200720 on appeal against a decision of the Upper Tribunal in proceedings in respect of—
i
a decision of the F1Financial Conduct Authority;
F2ia
a decision of the Prudential Regulation Authority;
ii
a decision of the Bank of England; or
s
proceedings before the Crown Court or the Court of Appeal in relation to serious crime prevention orders under sections 19, 20, 21 and 24 of the Serious Crime Act 200723;
t
proceedings under sections 100, 101, 103, 104 and 106 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 200824 in relation to violent offender orders and interim violent offender orders;
u
proceedings under sections 26, 27 and 29 of the Crime and Security Act 201025 in relation to—
i
domestic violence protection notices; or
ii
domestic violence protection orders; and
v
any other proceedings that involve the determination of a criminal charge for the purposes of Article 6(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Criminal proceedings: specified individualI1810
An individual who is or may be brought before a court or tribunal in proceedings specified in regulation 9 is a specified individual for the purposes of section 16(6) of the Act (representation for criminal proceedings).
PART 4Advice and assistance for criminal proceedings
GeneralI911
1
This Part makes provision about the making and withdrawal of determinations by the Director under section 15 of the Act (advice and assistance for criminal proceedings).
2
Prescribed advice and assistance is to be made available to an individual described in section 15(2) of the Act if—
a
the conditions prescribed in regulation 12 are met; and
b
the Director has determined that the individual qualifies for advice and assistance in accordance with these Regulations (and has not withdrawn the determination).
3
For the purposes of this regulation “prescribed advice and assistance” means advice and assistance that is available in accordance with the 2010 Standard Crime Contract.
Prescribed conditionsI412
1
The conditions set out in paragraph (2) are prescribed for the purposes of section 15(1) of the Act.
2
The conditions are that an individual must—
a
be the subject of an investigation which may lead to criminal proceedings;
b
be the subject of criminal proceedings;
c
require advice and assistance regarding an appeal or potential appeal against the outcome of any criminal proceedings or an application to vary a sentence;
F3d
require advice and assistance regarding—
i
the application of the provisions in Chapter 6 of Part 12 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 or in Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, which determine when a prisoner is either entitled to be released by the Secretary of State or eligible for consideration by the Parole Board for a direction to be released; or
ii
the application of the provisions in Chapter 2 of Part 5 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, which determine when an offender is entitled to be released by the Secretary of State;
e
require advice and assistance regarding an application or potential application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission26;
F4f
require advice and assistance regarding a disciplinary hearing in a prison or young offender institution where—
i
the proceedings involve the determination of a criminal charge for the purposes of Article 6(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights; or
ii
the governor has exercised the governor’s discretion to allow advice and assistance in relation to the hearing;
g
F6h
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
i
be a witness in criminal proceedings and require advice and assistance regarding self-incrimination;
j
be a volunteer; or
k
be detained under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 200028.
F73
In this regulation—
a
“governor” includes—
i
a director approved by the Secretary of State for the purposes of section 85(1)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991(“the 1991 Act”); and
ii
a controller appointed by the Secretary of State under section 85(1)(b) of the 1991 Act,
where the Secretary of State has entered into a contract for the running of a prison under section 84 of the 1991 Act; and
b
“volunteer” means an individual who, for the purposes of assisting with an investigation, without having been arrested—
i
attends voluntarily at a police station, customs office or any other place where a constable is present; or
ii
accompanies a constable to a police station, customs office or any other such place.
Interests of justiceI1913
When making a determination under section 15 of the Act, the Director must have regard, in particular, to the interests of justice.
ApplicationsI1014
An application for advice and assistance for criminal proceedings must be made—
a
in accordance with the requirements of the 2010 Standard Crime Contract for the Unit of Work which is the subject of the application; and
b
in a form specified by the Lord Chancellor, in circumstances where the 2010 Standard Crime Contract requires an application form to be completed.
DeterminationsI1115
1
The Director must determine whether an individual qualifies under section 15 of the Act for advice and assistance for criminal proceedings in accordance with—
a
section 21 of the Act (financial resources) and regulations made under that section29; and
b
the qualifying criteria set out in the 2010 Standard Crime Contract.
2
A determination that an individual qualifies under section 15 of the Act for advice and assistance for criminal proceedings must specify any limitations and conditions to which the determination is subject.
3
A determination that an individual qualifies under section 15 of the Act for advice and assistance for criminal proceedings may specify that the determination is to be treated as having effect from a date which is no later than the date on which the application was received.
WithdrawalI1216
The Director may withdraw a determination under section 15 of the Act where—
a
the services to which the determination relates have been provided;
b
the proceedings which are the subject of the determination have concluded;
c
the individual consents;
d
the individual has died; or
e
the individual no longer qualifies for the advice and assistance to be made available by the determination in accordance with—
i
section 21 of the Act and regulations made under that section; or
ii
the qualifying criteria set out in the 2010 Standard Crime Contract.
AppealI1317
An individual may appeal to an Independent Funding Adjudicator appointed by the Lord Chancellor under section 2 of the Act (arrangements) against a decision of the Director that—
a
the interests of justice do not require advice or assistance to be made available to an individual under these Regulations; or
b
the qualifying criteria set out in the 2010 Standard Crime Contract are not met.
PART 5Representation for criminal proceedings
GeneralI2018
This Part makes provision about the making and withdrawal of determinations by the Director under section 16 of the Act (representation for criminal proceedings)30, except in circumstances in which a court is authorised to make the determination under regulations made under section 19 of the Act (determinations by court).
Representation for criminal proceedings: proceedings which are to be regarded as incidental proceedingsI2119
1
The proceedings set out in paragraph (2) are to be regarded as incidental to the criminal proceedings from which they arise31.
2
The proceedings are—
a
proceedings in the Crown Court, following committal for sentence by a magistrates’ court;
b
proceedings to quash an acquittal under section 54 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 199632; and
c
proceedings for confiscation and forfeiture in connection with criminal proceedings under RSC Order 115 in Schedule 1 to the Civil Procedure Rules 199833.
Representation for criminal proceedings: proceedings which are not to be regarded as incidental proceedingsI2220
1
The proceedings set out in paragraph (2) are not to be regarded as incidental to the criminal proceedings from which they arise.
2
The proceedings are—
a
proceedings for applications for judicial review or habeas corpus in relation to criminal proceedings; and
b
proceedings for dealing with an individual who is alleged to have failed to comply with an order of the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court.
Qualifying for representation: interests of justiceI2321
For the purposes of a determination under section 16 of the Act, making representation available to an individual for the purposes of criminal proceedings is taken to be in the interests of justice when the proceedings are before—
a
the Crown Court, to the extent that such proceedings do not relate to an appeal to the Crown Court;
b
the High Court;
c
the Court of Appeal; or
d
the Supreme Court.
ApplicationsI2422
1
An application for a determination by the Director under section 16 of the Act must be in a form specified by the Lord Chancellor.
2
Where an individual makes an application for a determination in relation to proceedings in which a determination has previously been withdrawn under this Part, the application must state—
a
that a previous determination in relation to those proceedings has been withdrawn; and
b
the reasons for the withdrawal.
DeterminationsI2523
1
When the Director makes a determination under section 16 of the Act that an individual qualifies for representation for the purposes of criminal proceedings, the Director must—
a
issue a representation order recording that determination; and
b
send a copy of the representation order to the individual and any provider named in the representation order.
2
A representation order issued by the Director—
a
must record the date from which the determination is to be treated as having effect; and
b
may specify that the determination is to be treated as having effect from a date which is no later than the date on which the application was received.
3
Where the Director makes a determination under section 16 of the Act that an individual does not qualify for representation for the purposes of criminal proceedings, the Director must provide to that individual—
a
written reasons for the making of such a determination; and
b
details of any review or appeal available to that individual in respect of the determination.
4
A determination which is made in relation to an individual in any criminal proceedings includes representation in any incidental proceedings.
Determinations: proceedings in the magistrates’ courtI524
F91
Subject to paragraph (2), when the Director makes a determination under section 16 of the Act in accordance with Part 3 of the Financial Resources Regulations that an individual is eligible for representation for proceedings in the magistrates’ court, the Director must also make a determination that the individual is eligible in accordance with Part 4 of the Financial Resources Regulations for representation in the Crown Court in relation to those proceedings.
2
A determination to which paragraph (1) applies does not include representation for any appeal to the Crown Court in the proceedings to which the determination relates.
Determinations: certain proceedings in the Crown CourtI625
F101
In the circumstances described in paragraph (2), the Director must consider the individual’s application for a determination under section 16 for representation for the purposes of criminal proceedings in the Crown Court in accordance with Part 4 of the Financial Resources Regulations.
2
The circumstances are that—
a
the individual has made an application for a determination in proceedings in the magistrates’ court and (should the proceedings continue there) in the Crown Court;
b
the Director has determined that the individual does not qualify for representation in the magistrates’ court either because—
i
the requirements of section 21 (financial resources) and regulations made under that section are not met; or
ii
the interests of justice do not require representation to be made available to the individual; and
c
the proceedings continue to the Crown Court other than on appeal.
WithdrawalI2626
1
The Director must withdraw a determination under section 16 of the Act if the Director is satisfied that the interests of justice no longer require representation.
2
The Director may withdraw a determination where—
a
the individual declines to accept the determination in the terms which are offered;
b
the individual requests that the determination is withdrawn; or
c
the provider named in the representation order which recorded the original determination declines to continue to represent the individual.
3
Where the Director withdraws a determination, the Director must provide written notification of the withdrawal to—
a
the individual in whose favour the original determination was made;
b
any provider named in the representation order which records the determination; and
c
any advocate instructed in proceedings.
4
In this regulation “advocate” means a person who is an authorised person for the purposes of section 18 of the Legal Services Act 200734 in relation to the exercise of a right of audience.
ReviewI2727
1
An individual may apply for a review by the Director of—
a
a determination under section 16 of the Act that the interests of justice do not require representation to be made available to an individual for the purposes of criminal proceedings; and
b
the withdrawal of a determination in the circumstances specified in regulation 26(1).
2
An application for a review must be made in a form specified by the Lord Chancellor and must include any written representations supporting the application.
3
The individual must provide such further information and documents as the Director may request in relation to the review within fourteen days of the Director making such a request.
4
A review may be conducted without a hearing unless the Director directs otherwise.
5
The Director must consider the application and any written representations and may—
a
confirm or amend the determination which is the subject of the review;
b
confirm the withdrawal which is the subject of the review; or
c
substitute a new determination.
6
Where the Director amends or substitutes a determination—
a
the determination following the review takes effect (unless the Director directs otherwise) as if the original determination or withdrawal had not been made;
b
the Director must issue a representation order to reflect the determination following the review; and
c
the date of any representation order issued in accordance with sub-paragraph (b) must be the date on which the original application for a determination was received.
7
The Director must notify the individual and the provider identified in the individual’s application of—
a
the determination or withdrawal following the review; and
b
the written reasons for that decision.
AppealI2828
Appeal: magistrates’ courtI2929
1
In relation to a determination by the Director under section 16 of the Act that the interests of justice do not require, or no longer require, representation to be made available before the magistrates’ court, the appeal lies to the magistrates’ court.
2
The court must either—
a
affirm the determination; or
b
decide that the interests of justice require representation to be made available, or to continue to be made available, to an individual for the purposes of criminal proceedings.
3
Where the court makes a decision under paragraph (2)(b), the individual may apply to the Director for a determination.
4
Where an individual applies to the Director under paragraph (3)—
a
if the individual states in writing, verified by a statement of truth, that the individual’s financial resources have not changed since the date of the individual’s original application for a determination, so as to make the individual financially ineligible for representation under section 21 of the Act (financial resources) and regulations made under that section, the Director must make a determination that the individual qualifies for representation; or
b
if the individual’s financial resources may have so changed since the date of the individual’s original application, the Director—
i
must determine whether the individual qualifies for representation in accordance with section 21 of the Act and regulations made under that section; and
ii
if the individual does so qualify, must make the determination accordingly.
5
In this regulation—
“magistrates’ court” means the magistrates’ court in which the proceedings in respect of which an individual is seeking a determination under section 16 of the Act are taking place, or are to take place, and includes a single justice and a District Judge (magistrates’ court); and
“statement of truth” means a declaration provided in accordance with regulations made under section 21 of the Act (financial resources).
Appeal: Crown CourtI3030
1
In relation to a determination by the Director that the interests of justice do not require, or no longer require, representation to be made available in a case in the Crown Court, the appeal lies to an officer of the Crown Court (“the officer”).
2
The officer may refer the appeal to a judge of the Crown Court.
3
The officer or the judge may—
a
affirm the determination; or
b
decide that the interests of justice require representation to be made available, or to continue to be made available, to an individual for the purposes of criminal proceedings.
4
Where the officer or a judge makes a decision under paragraph (3)(b), the Director must make a determination reflecting that decision and record the determination in a representation order.
PART 6Legal Persons
Legal persons: application of regulation 5I3131
2
For “an individual” substitute “a legal person”.
3
For “the individual” substitute “the legal person”.
Legal persons: application of regulation 6I3232
2
For “an individual” substitute “a legal person”.
Legal persons: prescribed advice and assistanceI3333
1
The advice and assistance set out in paragraph (2) is prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 4(1) of Schedule 3 (legal aid for legal persons) to the Act.
2
The prescribed advice and assistance is advice and assistance which is provided in relation to—
a
an investigation which may lead to criminal proceedings;
b
criminal proceedings;
c
an appeal or a potential appeal against the outcome of criminal proceedings; or
d
a sentence imposed on a legal person.
Legal persons: prescribed conditionsI3434
1
The conditions set out in paragraph (2) are prescribed for the purposes of paragraph 4(1)(a) of Schedule 3 to the Act.
2
The prescribed conditions are that the legal person must be the subject of—
a
an investigation which may lead to criminal proceedings; or
b
criminal proceedings, including an appeal, potential appeal and an application to vary sentence.
Legal persons: applications for advice and assistance for criminal proceedingsI3535
1
An application by a legal person for advice and assistance37 must be made in writing to the Director.
2
The legal person must provide any additional information and documents requested by the Director in order to make a determination in relation to an application made in accordance with paragraph (1).
Legal persons: application of Part 4 of the RegulationsI3636
1
Regulations 13, 15(1)(a), (2) and (3), 16(a) to (c) and (e)(i) and 17(a) apply to legal persons with the modifications in paragraphs (2) to (4).
2
For “an individual” substitute “a legal person”.
3
For “the individual” substitute “the legal person”.
4
For “section 15 of” substitute “paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to”.
Legal persons: specified legal persons in relation to criminal proceedingsI3737
A legal person is a specified legal person in relation to criminal proceedings if that person meets the condition prescribed in regulation 34(2)(b).
Legal persons: applications for representationI3838
1
An application by a legal person for representation38 for the purposes of criminal proceedings must be made in writing to the Director.
2
The legal person must provide any additional information and documents requested by the Director in order to make a determination in relation to an application made in accordance with paragraph (1).
Legal persons: application of Part 5 of the RegulationsI3939
1
With the exception of regulations 21, 22(1) and 25(2)(b)(ii), Part 5 of these Regulations applies39 to legal persons with the modifications in paragraphs (2) to (5).
2
For “an individual” substitute “a legal person”.
3
For “the individual” substitute “the legal person”.
4
For “that individual” substitute “that legal person”.
5
For “section 16 of” substitute “paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 to”.
Signed by authority of the Lord Chancellor
(This note is not part of the Regulations)