
1 
These Rules may be cited as the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2015 and shall come into operation on 5th May 2015.
2 
In these Rules a reference to a rule or Schedule by number alone is a reference to the rule or Schedule so numbered in or to the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005.
3 

(1) Without prejudice to paragraph (2), these Rules apply for the determination of costs which are payable in respect of work done under a criminal aid certificate granted under Article 29, or deemed to have been granted under Article 36(2), of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 on or after 5th May 2015.
(2) Rules 4 and 12(n) of these Rules also apply for the determination of costs which are payable in respect of work done under a criminal aid certificate granted under Article 29, or deemed to have been granted under Article 36(2), of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 before 5th May 2015 where the costs remain to be determined by the Department of Justice under rule 8 or 11, as applicable.
4 
The Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005 are amended as follows.
5 

(1) In each place where it appears, for the term “the Commission” substitute the term “the Department”.
(2) In each place where it appears, for the term “Guilty Plea 1 Fee” substitute the term “Guilty Plea Fee”.
6 
Subject to rules 9 and 12(h) and (i)(i) of these Rules, in each place where it appears, for the term “Guilty Plea 2 Fee” substitute the term “Trial Preparation Fee”.
7 
In rule 2—
(a) omit the definition of “the Commission”;
(b) for the definition of “main hearing”, substitute—“
 “main hearing” means—
(a) in relation to a case which goes to trial, the trial,
(b) in relation to a case where a Trial Preparation Fee is payable to counsel, the hearing at which pleas are taken or, where there is more than one such hearing, the last such hearing, and
(c) in relation to any proceedings specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 1, the final hearing”.
8 
In rule 7(1), omit “or within three months of his receipt of a copy of the certificate, whichever is the later”.
9 
In rule 8(3)(a), omit “or Guilty Plea 2 Fee, as applicable”.
10 
In rule 10(1), omit “or within three months of his receipt of a copy of the certificate, whichever is the later”.
11 
In rule 20, for paragraph (5), substitute—“
 In paragraph (2) “review period” means the period of three years beginning with 5th May 2015 and each subsequent period of three years.”.
12 
In Schedule 1—
(a) in paragraph 3(2), omit the words “at the first arraignment”;
(b) in paragraph 3(3), after “shall be payable” insert “to counsel”;
(c) in paragraph 4, after “and” insert “, subject to paragraph 4A,”;
(d) after paragraph 4, insert—“
4A. 

(1) This paragraph applies to the following offences—
(a) causing death by dangerous driving, contrary to Article 9 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;
(b) causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, contrary to Article 14 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;
(c) aggravated vehicle taking resulting in death, contrary to Article 172B of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraphs 4 and 5(1)(a), for the purpose of this Schedule, the offences listed in sub-paragraph (1) shall be deemed to fall within Class D, rather than Class B, in the Table of Offences.”;
(e) following paragraph 7, for the Tables of Basic Trial Fees, substitute the following Tables—“

  Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within PPE Range Trial Fee 11 to 8 days Trial Fee 29 to 16 days Trial Fee 317 to 80 days
Class A 1 – 750 £4,153 £5,524 £8,266
Class A 751 – 3,000 £6,419 £7,790 £10,532
Class A 3,001 – 4,430 £8,685 £10,056 £12,798
    
Class B 1 – 687 £1,494 £2,151 £3,140
Class B 688 – 1,462 £2,390 £3,047 £4,036
Class B 1,463 – 2,237 £3,286 £3,943 £4,932
    
Class C 1 – 714 £915 £1,309 £1,898
Class C 715 – 1,262 £1,510 £1,904 £2,493
Class C 1,263 – 1,809 £2,105 £2,499 £3,088
    
Class D 1 – 733 £2,313 £3,469 £4,614
Class D 734 – 1,631 £3,694 £4,851 £5,996
Class D 1,632 – 2,229 £5,076 £6,233 £7,377
    
Class E 1 – 750 £915 £1,309 £1,898
Class E 751 – 1,636 £1,510 £1,904 £2,493
Class E 1,637 – 2,521 £2,105 £2,499 £3,088
    
Class F 1 – 677 £1,060 £1,516 £2,198
Class F 678 – 1,225 £1,696 £2,152 £2,834
Class F 1,226 – 1,773 £2,332 £2,788 £3,470
    
Class G 1 – 750 £1,734 £2,602 £3,461
Class G 751 – 1,750 £2,775 £3,642 £4,501
Class G 1,751 – 2,750 £3,816 £4,683 £5,542
    
Class H 1 – 750 £915 £1,309 £1,898
Class H 751 – 1,443 £1,510 £1,904 £2,493
Class H 1,444 – 2,135 £2,105 £2,499 £3,088
    
Class I 1 – 870 £915 £1,309 £1,898
Class I 871 – 1,606 £1,510 £1,904 £2,493
Class I 1607 – 2,341 £2,105 £2,499 £3,088

    Queen’s Counsel    
    Actual Duration of Trial    
Offence falling within Trial Fee 11 to 8days Trial Fee 29 to 16days Trial Fee 317 to 24 days Trial Fee 425 to 32 days Trial Fee 533 to 40 days Trial Fee 641 to 48 days Trial Fee 749 to 56days Trial Fee 857 to 64days Trial Fee 965 to 72days Trial Fee 1073 to 80days
Class A £6,000 £8,000 £12,000 £16,000 £20,000 £28,000 £36,000 £48,000 £60,000 £72,000
          
Class B £2,138 £3,074 £4,477 £5,969 £7,461 £10,446 £13,434 £17,907 £22,384 £26,861
          
Class C £1,871 £2,673 £3,875 £5,167 £6,458 £9,041 £11,627 £15,499 £19,374 £23,249
          
Class D £4,000 £6,000 £8,000 £12,000 £15,000 £21,000 £27,000 £36,000 £44,999 £53,999
          
Class E £1,871 £2,673 £3,875 £5,167 £6,458 £9,041 £11,627 £15,499 £19,374 £23,249
          
Class F £1,871 £2,673 £3,875 £5,167 £6,458 £9,041 £11,627 £15,499 £19,374 £23,249
          
Class G £2,673 £4,009 £5,345 £7,126 £8,908 £12,741 £16,038 £21,379 £26,724 £32,068
          
Class H £1,871 £2,673 £3,875 £5,167 £6,458 £9,041 £11,627 £15,499 £19,374 £23,249
          
Class I £1,871 £2,673 £3,875 £5,167 £6,458 £9,041 £11,627 £15,499 £19,374 £23,249

    Leading Junior Counsel    
    Actual Duration of Trial    
Offence falling within Trial Fee 11 to 8days Trial Fee 29 to 16days Trial Fee 317 to 24 days Trial Fee 425 to 32 days Trial Fee 533 to 40 days Trial Fee 641 to 48 days Trial Fee 749 to 56days Trial Fee 857 to 64days Trial Fee 965 to 72days Trial Fee 1073 to 80days
Class A £4,500 £6,000 £9,000 £12,000 £15,000 £21,000 £27,000 £36,000 £45,000 £54,000
          
Class B £1,604 £2,305 £3,358 £4,477 £5,597 £7,835 £10,076 £13,431 £16,789 £20,147
          
Class C £1,403 £2,005 £2,907 £3,876 £4,845 £6,783 £8,723 £11,627 £14,534 £17,441
          
Class D £3,000 £4,500 £6,000 £9,000 £11,250 £15,750 £20,250 £27,000 £33,750 £40,500
          
Class E £1,403 £2,005 £2,907 £3,876 £4,845 £6,783 £8,723 £11,627 £14,534 £17,441
          
Class F £1,403 £2,005 £2,907 £3,876 £4,845 £6,783 £8,723 £11,627 £14,534 £17,441
          
Class G £2,005 £3,007 £4,009 £5,345 £6,681 £9,354 £12,029 £16,035 £20,044 £24,053
          
Class H £1,403 £2,005 £2,907 £3,876 £4,845 £6,783 £8,723 £11,627 £14,534 £17,441
          
Class I £1,403 £2,005 £2,907 £3,876 £4,845 £6,783 £8,723 £11,627 £14,534 £17,441

    Led Junior Counsel    
    Actual Duration of Trial    
Offence falling within Trial Fee 11 to 8days Trial Fee 29 to 16days Trial Fee 317 to 24 days Trial Fee 425 to 32 days Trial Fee 533 to 40 days Trial Fee 641 to 48 days Trial Fee 749 to 56days Trial Fee 857 to 64days Trial Fee 965 to 72days Trial Fee 1073 to 80days
Class A £3,600 £4,800 £7,200 £9,600 £12,000 £16,800 £21,600 £28,800 £36,000 £43,200
          
Class B £1,283 £1,844 £2,686 £3,581 £4,477 £6,267 £8,060 £10,743 £13,429 £16,115
          
Class C £935 £1,336 £1,938 £2,584 £3,230 £4,522 £5,815 £7,752 £9,689 £11,627
          
Class D £2,000 £3,000 £4,000 £6,000 £7,500 £10,500 £13,500 £18,000 £22,500 £27,000
          
Class E £935 £1,336 £1,938 £2,584 £3,230 £4,522 £5,815 £7,752 £9,689 £11,627
          
Class F £935 £1,336 £1,938 £2,584 £3,230 £4,522 £5,815 £7,752 £9,689 £11,627
          
Class G £1,336 £2,005 £2,673 £3,564 £4,455 £6,237 £8,021 £10,691 £13,364 £16,037
          
Class H £935 £1,336 £1,938 £2,584 £3,230 £4,522 £5,815 £7,752 £9,689 £11,627
          
Class I £935 £1,336 £1,938 £2,584 £3,230 £4,522 £5,815 £7,752 £9,689 £11,627

    Sole Junior Counsel    
    Actual Duration of Trial    
Offence falling within Trial Fee 11 to 8days Trial Fee 29 to 16days Trial Fee 317 to 24 days Trial Fee 425 to 32 days Trial Fee 533 to 40 days Trial Fee 641 to 48 days Trial Fee 749 to 56days Trial Fee 857 to 64days Trial Fee 965 to 72days Trial Fee 1073 to 80days
Class A £3,900 £5,200 £7,800 £10,400 £13,000 £18,200 £23,400 £31,200 £39,000 £46,800
          
Class B £1,390 £1,998 £2,910 £3,880 £4,850 £6,790 £8,732 £11,639 £14,549 £17,459
          
Class C £1,216 £1,737 £2,519 £3,359 £4,198 £5,878 £7,558 £10,075 £12,594 £15,113
          
Class D £2,600 £3,900 £5,200 £7,800 £9,750 £13,650 £17,550 £23,400 £29,250 £35,100
          
Class E £1,216 £1,737 £2,519 £3,359 £4,198 £5,878 £7,558 £10,075 £12,594 £15,113
          
Class F £1,216 £1,737 £2,519 £3,359 £4,198 £5,878 £7,558 £10,075 £12,594 £15,113
          
Class G £1,737 £2,606 £3,474 £4,632 £5,790 £8,106 £10,424 £13,895 £17,369 £20,843
          
Class H £1,216 £1,737 £2,519 £3,359 £4,198 £5,878 £7,558 £10,075 £12,594 £15,113
          
Class I £1,216 £1,737 £2,519 £3,359 £4,198 £5,878 £7,558 £10,075 £12,594 £15,113;”.
(f) after the Tables of Basic Trial Fees and Refresher Fees following paragraph 7, insert—“
7. 

(1) This paragraph applies where a fee is payable to a solicitor under this Part.
(2) Where the PPE Range exceeds the upper limit specified in the Table of Basic Trial Fees payable to a solicitor, as appropriate to the Class of Offence involved, an additional fee shall be payable to the solicitor of £1 per each additional page.”;
(g) omit paragraph 8(1) and (2);
(h) in paragraph 8(3), for “a Guilty Plea 2 Fee” substitute “a Guilty Plea Fee or a Trial Preparation Fee”;
(i) in paragraph 8(4)—
(i) for “the Guilty Plea 2 Fee” substitute “the Guilty Plea Fee or Trial Preparation Fee”;
(ii) after “was charged”, insert “, including the PPE Range where applicable”;
(j) for paragraph 9, substitute—“
 For the purposes of paragraph 8 the fee appropriate to any offence shall be that specified in the Table below as appropriate to the representative (including the category of counsel instructed, as applicable) and the Class within which that offence falls according to paragraph 5, including the PPE Range where applicable.”;
(k) following paragraph 9, for the Tables of Guilty Plea Fees, substitute the following Tables—“
(a) Guilty Plea FeesSOLICITOR
Offence falling within PPE Range Fee
  
Class A 1 – 750 £3,734
Class A 751 – 3,000 £6,000
Class A 3,001 – 4,430 £7,440
  
Class B 1 – 687 £896
Class B 688 – 1,462 £1,792
Class B 1,463 – 2,237 £2,688
  
Class C 1 – 714 £595
Class C 715 – 1,262 £1,190
Class C 1,263 – 1,809 £1,785
  
Class D 1 – 733 £1,850
Class D 734 – 1,631 £3,232
Class D 1,632 – 2,229 £4,153
  
Class E 1 – 750 £595
Class E 751 – 1,636 £1,190
Class E 1,637 – 2,521 £1,785
  
Class F 1 – 677 £636
Class F 678 – 1,225 £1,272
Class F 1,226 – 1,773 £1,908

Offence falling within Queen’s Counsel Fee Leading Junior Counsel Fee Led Junior Counsel Fee Sole Junior Counsel Fee
Class A £2,860 £2,145 £1,430 £1,859
    
Class B £1,067 £800 £533 £693
    
Class C £914 £686 £457 £594
    
Class D £1,976 £1,482 £988 £1,285
    
Class E £914 £686 £457 £594
    
Class F £914 £686 £457 £594
    
Class G £1,158 £869 £579 £753
    
Class H £914 £686 £457 £594
    
Class I £914 £686 £457 £594
(b) Trial Preparation Fees for Counsel

Offence falling within  Queen’s CounselFee Leading Junior Counsel Fee Led Junior CounselFee Sole Junior CounselFee
PPE Range

Class A 1 – 750 £4,090 £3,068 £2,045 £2,659
Class A 751 – 3,000 £7,015 £5,261 £3,508 £4,560
Class A 3,001 – 4,430 £14,890 £11,168 £7,445 £9,679
     
Class B 1 – 687 £1,502 £1,126 £751 £976
Class B 688 – 1,462 £3,062 £2,296 £1,531 £1,990
Class B 1,463 – 2,237 £7,262 £5,446 £3,631 £4,720
     
Class C 1 – 714 £1,319 £989 £660 £858
Class C 715 – 1,262 £2,684 £2,013 £1,342 £1,745
Class C 1,263 – 1,809 £5,996 £4,497 £2,998 £3,898
     
Class D 1 – 733 £2,744 £2,058 £1,372 £1,784
Class D 734 – 1,631 £4,694 £3,520 £2,347 £3,051
Class D 1,632 – 2,229 £9,944 £7,458 £4,972 £6,464
     
Class E 1 – 750 £1,319 £989 £660 £858
Class E 751 – 1,636 £2,684 £2,013 £1,342 £1,745
Class E 1,637 – 2,521 £6,359 £4,769 £3,180 £4,134
     
Class F 1 – 677 £1,319 £989 £660 £858
Class F 678 – 1,225 £2,684 £2,013 £1,342 £1,745
Class F 1,226 – 1,773 £6,359 £4,769 £3,180 £4,134
     
Class G 1 – 750 £1,926 £1,445 £963 £1,252
Class G 751 – 1,750 £3,876 £2,907 £1,938 £2,519
Class G 1,751 – 2,750 £9,126 £6,845 £4,563 £5,932
     
Class H 1 – 750 £1,319 £989 £660 £858
Class H 751 – 1,443 £2,684 £2,013 £1,342 £1,745
Class H 1,444 – 2,135 £6,359 £4,769 £3,180 £4,134
     
Class I 1 – 870 £1,319 £989 £660 £858
Class I 871 – 1,606 £2,684 £2,013 £1,342 £1,745
Class I 1,607 – 2,341 £6,359 £4,769 £3,180 £4,134”;
(l) after the Tables of Guilty Plea Fees and Trial Preparation Fees following paragraph 9, insert—“
9A. 

(1) This paragraph applies where a fee is payable to a representative under this Part.
(2) Where the PPE Range exceeds the upper limit, as appropriate to the Class of Offence involved, an additional fee shall be payable to the representative of £1 per each additional page.
(3) In this paragraph “the upper limit” means the upper limit specified in the Table of Guilty Plea Fees payable to a solicitor, or the Table of Trial Preparation Fees payable to counsel, as applicable.”;
(m) omit paragraph 10A;
(n) for paragraph 14(2) and (3), substitute—“
(2) A hearing to which this paragraph applies shall not be included in the length of the main hearing or of any sentencing hearing for the purpose of calculating costs, and the fee specified in the Table below as appropriate to the representative (including the category of counsel instructed, as applicable) shall be payable for each day of the hearing.

  Queen’s Counsel Fee Leading Junior Counsel Fee Led Junior Counsel Fee Sole Junior Counsel Fee
Solicitor Fee

Full Day £525 £800 £600 £400 £520
Half Day £263 £400 £300 £200 £260”;
(o) after paragraph 15B, insert—“
15C. 

(1) This paragraph applies to—
(a) the hearing of an application for a sexual offences prevention order under section 104 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003;
(b) the hearing of an application for a disqualification order under Article 23 or 24 of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003;
(c) the hearing of an application for an indeterminate custodial sentence under Article 13 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008; and
(d) the hearing of an application for an extended custodial sentence under Article 14 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008.
(2) A hearing to which this paragraph applies shall not be included in the length of the main hearing or of any sentencing hearing for the purpose of calculating costs, and the time-based fee set out in the Table following paragraph 19 as appropriate to the representative (including the category of counsel instructed, as applicable) and the duration of the hearing on that day shall be payable.
(3) In determining the duration of an application for the purpose of sub-paragraph (2), there shall be excluded the period of time during any luncheon adjournment.”;
(p) after paragraph 16, insert—“
16A. 

(1) This paragraph applies where the assisted person applies to a magistrates’ court for bail under section 91 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
(2) The fixed fee of £180 shall be payable to a solicitor in respect of the hearing of the bail application, and paragraph 16(1)(c) shall not apply in respect of that hearing.”;
(q) following paragraph 19, for the Tables of Additional Fees, substitute the following Tables—“
SOLICITOR
Type of work Paragraph providing for fee Fee
Arraignment – Not Guilty 11 £90
Standby Fee 12(1) £375
Appearing at deferred sentencing hearing 15(1)(a) £188
Appearing at other sentencing hearing 15(1)(b) £100
Late sitting fee 17 £188
Cases within paragraph 2 19 £563
Application Fee 1(hearing not exceeding 1.5 hours)  
£113

Application Fee 2(hearing exceeding 1.5 hours but not exceeding 3 hours) 12(2), 13 and 16 £188
Application Fee 3(hearing exceeding 3 hours)  £375
Sentence Hearing Preparation FeePPE RangeUp to 500 pages501 – 750 pages751 – 1,000 pages 15B £500£750£1,000
Public Protection  
Application Fee 1(hearing not exceeding 1.5 hours)  £113
Public Protection 15C 
Application Fee 2(hearing exceeding 1.5 hours but not exceeding 3 hours)  £188
Public Protection  
Application Fee 3(hearing exceeding 3 hours)  £375
Court-ordered youth conference  
Lower standard fee  
(conferences lasting up to and including 1 hour) 18A £70
Principal standard fee  
(conferences lasting more than 1 hour but not exceeding 2 hours)  £112.50

COUNSEL
Type of work Paragraph providing for fee Queen’s Counsel Fee Leading Junior Counsel Fee Led Junior Counsel Fee Sole Junior CounselFee
Arraignment– Not Guilty 11 £120 £113 £75 £98
Standby Fee 12(1) £400 £300 £200 £260
Appearing at deferred sentencing hearing 15(1)(a) £320 £240 £160 £208
Appearing at other sentencing hearing 15(1)(b) £240 £180 £120 £156
Skeleton argument 15A and 18B £250 £188 £125 £163
Late sitting fee 17 £200 £150 £100 £130
Cases within paragraph 2 19 £600 £450 £300 £390
Application Fee 1 (hearing not exceeding 1.5 hours)  £100 £94 £63 £82
Application Fee 2     
(hearing exceeding 1.5 hours but not exceeding 3 hours) 12(2), 13 and 16 £200 £150 £100 £130
Application Fee 3(hearing exceeding 3 hours)  £400 £300 £200 £260
Sentence HearingPreparation FeePPE RangeUp to 500 pages501 – 750 pages751 – 1,000 pages     
15B £500 £375 £250 £330
 £750 £563 £375 £495
 £1,000 £750 £500 £660
Public Protection     
Application     
Fee 1(hearing not exceeding 1.5 hours)  £100 £94 £63 £82
   
Public Protection     
Application Fee 2(hearing exceeding 1.5 hours but not exceeding 3 hours) 15C £200 £150 £100 £130
Public Protection     
Application Fee 3(hearing exceeding 3 hours)  £400 £300 £200 £260
Consultation/views 18(1) £63 per hour £47 per hour £31 per hour £41 per hour
Listening to or viewing tapes etc. 18(2) £27 per 10 minutes £20 per 10 minutes £14 per 10 minutes £18 per 10 minutes
Court-ordered youthconference     
Lower standard fee (conferences lasting up to and including 1 hour)  N/A N/A N/A £70
18A
Principal standard fee     
(conferences lasting more than 1 hour but not exceeding 2 hours)  N/A N/A N/A £112.50”.
(r) for paragraph 27, substitute—“
27. 
Where a solicitor was dismissed by the assisted person, or the Department is satisfied that he was obliged to withdraw from the case for compelling professional reasons, the Department may, in its discretion, allow the following fees to the solicitor—
(a) if the solicitor was dismissed or withdrew within one week of the first arraignment but before the trial (if any) commenced, a Guilty Plea Fee as appropriate to the offence with which the assisted person was charged and the applicable PPE Range;
(b) in any other circumstances, such amount as it considers to be reasonable in all the circumstances.”.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Justice on 13th April 2015
David Ford
Minister of Justice
The Department of Finance and Personnel hereby approves the foregoing RulesSealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Finance and Personnel on 14th April 2015
Emer Morelli
A senior officer of the Department of Finance and Personnel
