
1 
These Rules may be cited as the Magistrates’ Courts and County Court Appeals (Criminal Legal Aid) (Costs) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2019 and shall come into operation on 22nd July 2019.
2 
The Magistrates’ Courts and County Court Appeals (Criminal Legal Aid) (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 are amended as follows.
3 
In Schedule 1, for paragraph 18A, substitute─“
18A. 

(1) This paragraph applies where a criminal aid certificate was granted for—
(a) a Fine Default Hearing; or
(b) a Referral Hearing.
(2) A single fixed fee of £75 shall be payable for all work undertaken by an assigned solicitor in respect of a Fine Default Hearing or a Referral Hearing.
(3) In this paragraph─
 “a Fine Default Hearing” means a hearing at which the court considers the exercise of its powers under Article 92 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981; and
 “a Referral Hearing” means a hearing at which the court considers the exercise of its powers under section 9 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2016.”
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Justice on 27th June 2019
Peter May
A senior officer of the Department of Justice
The Department of Finance hereby approves the foregoing RulesSealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Finance on 28th June 2019
Emer Morelli
A senior officer of the Department of Finance
