Fixed Fees in the Criminal Courts; A Survival Guide

Fully revised and updated, the second edition of Fixed Fees in the Criminal Courts helps practitioners to ensure their fees are processed quickly and efficiently. Considerable changes have been made to the regime since its introduction in January 2008. This new edition takes account of the developments, offering: - fee tables that are VAT exclusive - a new section on virtual courts - coverage of changes to the LSC Schedules - a new section on applications to the court to vary pre-charge bail conditions - coverage of the amendments to fixed fees in the Crown court - more information on core costs, enhancement, and graduated fees with greater reference to the relevant authorities. The author offers an invaluable overview of the procedures involved to help practitioners understand the changes to the criminal costs regime and expedite fees. This handy guide provides easy access to all the necessary guidance and codes for filling in Legal Services Commission (LSC) forms. It contains all the information needed to deliver bills for legally aided criminal cases in the police station, magistrates' and Crown courts. Contents: Part I. Crime lower work: 1. Work types; 2. Criminal investigations; 3. Magistrates' court cases; Part II. Crown court work: 1. Classification and categorisation: 2. Litigator's graduated fees; 3. Advocacy in the Crown court; Part III. Very high cost cases; Appendices: 1. Claims summary under the general criminal contract; 2. Criminal matter type code descriptions; 3. Guidance for reporting work on Form CDS6: sections 2-4, case referral to defence solicitor call centre; 4. Police station advice and assistance fixed fees; 5. CDS police station codes; 6. CDS court codes; 7. Billing codes for CDS7; 8. Crown court offence classes; 9. Litigator's graduated fee table; 10. Advocates' graduated fee tables; 11. Very high cost criminal cases: remuneration rates and notification request form; 12. LSC guidance on the meaning of a 'matter'