From the 6th December 2024 there are changes to the Legal Aid app to accommodate the recent legislation changes around Criminal Law, primarily Youth Courts.
Police Station Fixed Fees
Most police station fixed fees have been increased, these new rates will apply to matters where the UFN is on or after 6th December 2024.
Duty Solicitor – Destinations Areas
Duty solicitor claims where attendance was within a destination police station will now be eligible for travel. By default, if one of these police stations is selected, travel will automatically be included on the invoice, if applicable, based on the reporting code selected.
Youth Court Changes to Legal Aid
A new set of rates and fee scheme has been introduced for Representation in the Youth Court.
Representation in the Youth Court | All Areas |
Routine letter written and telephone calls per item | £4.09 |
Preparation hourly rate | £52.15 |
Advocacy hourly rate (including applications for bail and other applications to the court) | £65.42 |
Hourly rate for attendance at court where Counsel is assigned (including conferences with Counsel at court) | £35.68 |
Travelling and waiting hourly rate (only claimable where the undesignated area fees apply) | £27.60 |
Additional fee for cases which fall outside the Standard Fee payment schemes (only claimable in cases falling under Category 1A or 2A in the table following sub-paragraph (5)) | £598.59 |
Six new Stage Codes have been introduced along with additional Standard Fee Categories. These options will only be available on legal aid matters where the Rep Order Date is on or after the 6th December 2024.
Stage Codes | Standard Fee Categories | |||
YOUE | YOUF | 1A | 1B | |
YOUK | YOUL | 2A | 2B | |
YOUX | YOUY | 1A-HSF | 1B-HSF | |
1A-LSF | 1B-LSF | |||
Combinations of these Stage Codes and Categories, along with being a Designated or Undesignated Area will generate the required fixed fee. To access the Higher Standard Fee rate, the Profit Cost value on the invoice must be above the Fixed Fee limit.
