Crime Legal Aid Rates

What are the crime legal aid rates in England

Legal aid fees in criminal cases are paid for by the government but may require contributions from the defendant, depending on their financial means and the court level. Fees for solicitors and their clerks are based on hourly or fixed rates, with different fees set for different work, such as advice at the police station, court appearances, and preparation of documents. The specifics of the fees and the rates applied to your case depend on the relevant regulations and the specific type of work being done.

How Fees Are Calculated

Hourly Rates: For certain work, solicitors bill for their time in quarter-hour increments, while solicitors' clerks are paid a lower rate for their time.
Fixed Fees: Some types of work are covered by fixed fees, which are set amounts for completing a particular task, such as certain police station work or specific court procedures.

Graduated Fee Schemes: For more complex or lengthy cases, graduated fee schemes may apply, where fees are calculated based on the level of work performed and specific criteria.

Factors Influencing Your Costs

Means Testing:

After initial advice, your eligibility and the level of contribution you must make will depend on your income and assets.

Court Level:

The court at which your case is heard (e.g., magistrates' court vs. Crown Court) can influence which fee rules and regulations apply.

Type of Work:

Different fees apply to different types of legal work, such as advice, preparation of evidence, or representation in court.

Where to Find Detailed Fee Information

The Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations:

These regulations contain detailed schedules outlining the specific fees for various criminal legal work.

GOV.UK Criminal Legal Aid Manual:

For specific guidance, particularly regarding the claim process for graduated fee schemes, the GOV.UK Criminal Legal Aid Manual is the official source.

The Law Society:

This organization provides public information and advocates for solicitors, keeping them informed about fee changes and broader funding issues.

Lawsyst case management system comes with prepopulated LAA rates for various types of LAA contracts and type of work. For more information, please contact our LAA Billing Help Desk or contact your legal aid accounts manager at the LAA.