
2025 No. 197
Legal Aid And Advice
The Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2025
Made 12th December 2025
Coming into operation 7th January 2026

The Department of Justice makes the following Rules in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 36(3) of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, and now vested in it.
In accordance with Article 36(3) of that Order, the Department has consulted with the Lady Chief Justice, the Attorney General, the Crown Court Rules Committee, the County Court Rules Committee and the Magistrates’ Court Rules Committee and it has obtained the approval of the Department of Finance.

In accordance with Article 37 of that Order, the Department has had regard to the matters specified in that Article.
Citation and commencement
1 
These Rules may be cited as the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2025 and shall come into operation on 7th January 2026.
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
Application and transitional arrangements
3 
These Rules apply for the determination of costs which are payable—
(a) 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 1st December 2024; and
(b) in respect of work done under a criminal aid certificate granted under Article 28 of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 on or after 1st December 2024, where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.
4 
Where a certificate was 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 1st December 2024, and a representative’s remuneration has been determined under rule 8 or 11, as applicable, for work done under that certificate, the representative may claim, and the Department shall authorise, a claim for an additional amount equal to the difference between the amount determined and the amount that would have been determined in accordance with these Rules.
5 
Where a certificate was granted under Article 28 of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 on or after 1 December 2024, where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and where a representative’s remuneration has been determined under rule 5 of the Magistrates’ Courts and County Court Appeals (Criminal Legal Aid) (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 (“the 2009 Rules”) for work done under that certificate, the representative may claim, and the Department shall authorise, a claim for an additional amount equal to the difference between the amount determined under the 2009 Rules and the amount that would have been determined in accordance with these Rules.
6 
A claim under rule 4 or 5 of these Rules shall be submitted to the Department in such form and manner as it may direct and shall be accompanied by such particulars and documents as it may specify.
Amendments to the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005
7 
The Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005 are amended as follows.
8 
In rule 2—
(1) For the definition of “case”, substitute—“
 “case” means proceedings—
(a) in the Crown Court against one assisted person-
(i) on one or more counts of a single indictment; or
(ii) arising out of a single alleged breach of an order of the Crown Court,and a case falling within sub-paragraph (ii) shall be treated as a separate case from the proceedings in which the order was made; or
(b) where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;as the case may be.”
(2) In the definition of “counsel”, after “Article 36(2) of the Order”, insert “, or counsel assigned under Article 28 of the Order for a case where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998”.
(3) In the definition of “legal aid”, after “Article 36(2), of the Order”, insert “, or granted under Article 28 of the Order for a case where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998”.
(4) In the definition of “solicitor”, after “Article 36(2) of the Order”, insert “or a solicitor assigned under Article 28 of the Order for a case where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998”.
(5) After the definition of “taxing master” insert—“
 “trial” includes contest proceedings where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) 1998;”
9 
In rule 3—
(1) In paragraph 1, for “paragraph (2)”, substitute “paragraphs (2) and (4)”.
(2) After paragraph (3), insert—“
(4) These Rules shall apply for the determination of costs which are payable in respect of work done under a criminal aid certificate granted under Article 28 of the Order on or after 1st December 2024, where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.”
10 
In rule 5—
(1) In paragraph (1), omit “the Crown”.
(2) In paragraph (2)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a)—
(i) omit “the Crown”;
(ii) after “expenditure;”, insert “and”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b), for “£500; and”, substitute “£250.”;
(c) omit sub-paragraph (c).
(3) In paragraph (3), for “£2,500”, substitute “£3,500”.
(4) After paragraph (8), insert—“
(9) In this rule, “Court” means—
(a) the Crown Court; or
(b) the magistrates’ court, where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;
as the case may be.”.
11 
In Schedule 1—
(1) In paragraph 2—
(a) after “in the Crown Court”, insert “, or proceedings where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (a), omit “Crown”.
(2) For paragraph 3(5), substitute—“
(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), a day shall not be considered as the first full day of trial unless:
(a) the prosecution had opened its case and the first prosecution witness had begun to give evidence; or
(b) where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with in the magistrates’ court as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, and where the case was contested:
(i) on the papers only;
(ii) on legal arguments, with no witnesses being called; or
(iii) with the prosecution evidence being accepted but a defence was put forward.”
(3) In paragraph 6—
(a) in sub-paragraph (1), omit “the Crown”;
(b) after sub-paragraph (1), insert—“
(1A) In this paragraph, “Court” means—
(a) the Crown Court; or
(b) the magistrates’ court, where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;
as the case may be.”.
(4) Following paragraph 7 for the Tables of Basic Trial Fees and Refresher Fees, substitute the following Tables—“TABLES OF BASIC TRIAL FEES AND REFRESHER FEES

(a) Basic Trial Fees
SOLICITOR
  Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within PPE range Trial Fee 1 Trial Fee 2 Trial Fee 3
1 – 8 Days 9 – 16 Days 17 – 80 Days
Class A 1 – 750 £6,504 £8,650 £12,944
Class A 751 – 1,500 £10,053 £12,200 £16,493
Class A 1,501 – 3,000 £13,601 £15,748 £20,041
Class B 1 – 750 £2,340 £3,369 £4,917
Class B 751 – 1,500 £3,743 £4,771 £6,321
Class B 1,501 – 3,000 £5,146 £6,175 £7,723
Class C 1 – 750 £1,433 £2,050 £2,972
Class C 751 – 1,500 £2,365 £2,981 £3,905
Class C 1,501 – 3,000 £3,297 £3,914 £4,836
Class D 1 – 750 £3,623 £5,432 £7,226
Class D 751 – 1,500 £5,785 £7,597 £9,390
Class D 1,501 – 3,000 £7,949 £9,761 £11,552
Class E 1 – 750 £1,433 £2,050 £2,972
Class E 751 – 1,500 £2,365 £2,981 £3,905
Class E 1,501 – 3,000 £3,297 £3,914 £4,836
Class F 1 – 750 £1,660 £2,375 £3,442
Class F 751 – 1,500 £2,656 £3,370 £4,438
Class F 1,501 – 3,000 £3,652 £4,366 £5,435
Class G 1 – 750 £2,716 £4,075 £5,420
Class G 751 – 1,500 £4,345 £5,704 £7,048
Class G 1,501 – 3,000 £5,976 £7,334 £8,679
Class H 1 – 750 £1,433 £2,050 £2,972
Class H 751 – 1,500 £2,365 £2,981 £3,905
Class H 1,501 – 3,000 £3,297 £3,914 £4,836
Class I 1 – 750 £1,433 £2,050 £2,972
Class I 751 – 1,500 £2,365 £2,981 £3,905
Class I 1,501 – 3,000 £3,297 £3,914 £4,836

COUNSEL
 King’s Counsel
 Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within Trial Fee 1 Trial Fee 2 Trial Fee 3 Trial Fee 4 Trial Fee 5 Trial Fee 6 Trial Fee 7 Trial Fee 8 Trial Fee 9 Trial Fee 10
1 to 8 days 9 to 16 days 17 to 24 days 25 to 32 days 33 to 40 days 41 to 48 days 49 to 56 days 57 to 64 days 65 to 72 days 73 to 80 days
Class A £6,960 £9,280 £13,920 £18,560 £23,200 £32,480 £41,760 £55,680 £69,600 £83,520
Class B £3,348 £4,814 £7,011 £9,347 £11,684 £16,358 £21,038 £28,042 £35,053 £42,064
Class C £2,930 £4,186 £6,068 £8,091 £10,113 £14,158 £18,207 £24,272 £30,340 £36,408
Class D £4,640 £6,960 £9,280 £13,920 £17,400 £24,360 £31,320 £41,760 £52,199 £62,639
Class E £2,930 £4,186 £6,068 £8,091 £10,113 £14,158 £18,207 £24,272 £30,340 £36,408
Class F £2,930 £4,186 £6,068 £8,091 £10,113 £14,158 £18,207 £24,272 £30,340 £36,408
Class G £4,186 £6,278 £8,371 £11,159 £13,950 £19,952 £25,115 £33,480 £41,849 £50,221
Class H £2,930 £4,186 £6,068 £8,091 £10,113 £14,158 £18,207 £24,272 £30,340 £36,408
Class I £2,930 £4,186 £6,068 £8,091 £10,113 £14,158 £18,207 £24,272 £30,340 £36,408

 Leading Junior Counsel
 Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within Trial Fee 1 Trial Fee 2 Trial Fee 3 Trial Fee 4 Trial Fee 5 Trial Fee 6 Trial Fee 7 Trial Fee 8 Trial Fee 9 Trial Fee 10
1 to 8 days 9 to 16 days 17 to 24 days 25 to 32 days 33 to 40 days 41 to 48 days 49 to 56 days 57 to 64 days 65 to 72 days 73 to 80 days
Class A £5,220 £6,960 £10,440 £13,920 £17,400 £24,360 £31,320 £41,760 £52,200 £62,640
Class B £2,511 £3,610 £5,258 £7,011 £8,765 £12,269 £15,779 £21,032 £26,291 £31,550
Class C £2,197 £3,140 £4,552 £6,070 £7,588 £10,622 £13,660 £18,207 £22,760 £27,312
Class D £3,480 £5,220 £6,960 £10,440 £13,050 £18,270 £23,490 £31,320 £39,150 £46,980
Class E £2,197 £3,140 £4,552 £6,070 £7,588 £10,622 £13,660 £18,207 £22,760 £27,312
Class F £2,197 £3,140 £4,552 £6,070 £7,588 £10,622 £13,660 £18,207 £22,760 £27,312
Class G £3,140 £4,708 £6,278 £8,371 £10,462 £14,648 £18,837 £25,111 £31,388 £37,668
Class H £2,197 £3,140 £4,552 £6,070 £7,588 £10,622 £13,660 £18,207 £22,760 £27,312
Class I £2,197 £3,140 £4,552 £6,070 £7,588 £10,622 £13,660 £18,207 £22,760 £27,312

 Led Junior Counsel
 Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within Trial Fee 1 Trial Fee 2 Trial Fee 3 Trial Fee 4 Trial Fee 5 Trial Fee 6 Trial Fee 7 Trial Fee 8 Trial Fee 9 Trial Fee 10
1 to 8 days 9 to 16 days 17 to 24 days 25 to 32 days 33 to 40 days 41 to 48 days 49 to 56 days 57 to 64 days 65 to 72 days 73 to 80 days
Class A £4,176 £5,568 £8,352 £11,136 £13,920 £19,488 £25,056 £33,408 £41,760 £50,112
Class B £2,009 £2,887 £4,206 £5,607 £7,011 £9,814 £12,622 £16,823 £21,030 £25,236
Class C £1,464 £2,093 £3,035 £4,046 £5,059 £7,011 £9,106 £12,139 £15,173 £18,207
Class D £2,320 £3,480 £4,640 £6,960 £8,700 £12,180 £15,660 £20,880 £26,100 £31,320
Class E £1,464 £2,093 £3,035 £4,046 £5,059 £7,011 £9,106 £12,139 £15,173 £18,207
Class F £1,464 £2,093 £3,035 £4,046 £5,059 £7,011 £9,106 £12,139 £15,173 £18,207
Class G £2,093 £3,140 £4,186 £5,581 £6,976 £9,767 £12,560 £16,742 £20,928 £25,114
Class H £1,464 £2,093 £3,035 £4,046 £5,059 £7,011 £9,106 £12,139 £15,173 £18,207
Class I £1,464 £2,093 £3,035 £4,046 £5,059 £7,011 £9,106 £12,139 £15,173 £18,207

 Sole Junior Counsel
 Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within Trial Fee 1 Trial Fee 2 Trial Fee 3 Trial Fee 4 Trial Fee 5 Trial Fee 6 Trial Fee 7 Trial Fee 8 Trial Fee 9 Trial Fee 10
1 to 8 days 9 to 16 days 17 to 24 days 25 to 32 days 33 to 40 days 41 to 48 days 49 to 56 days 57 to 64 days 65 to 72 days 73 to 80 days
Class A £4,524 £6,032 £9,048 £12,064 £15,080 £21,112 £27,144 £36,192 £45,240 £54,288
Class B £2,177 £3,129 £4,558 £6,076 £7,596 £10,634 £13,674 £18,227 £22,784 £27,341
Class C £1,905 £2,720 £3,945 £5,261 £6,574 £9,205 £11,835 £15,777 £19,722 £23,667
Class D £3,016 £4,524 £6,032 £9,048 £11,310 £15,834 £20,358 £27,144 £33,930 £40,716
Class E £1,905 £2,720 £3,945 £5,261 £6,574 £9,205 £11,835 £15,777 £19,722 £23,667
Class F £1,905 £2,720 £3,945 £5,261 £6,574 £9,205 £11,835 £15,777 £19,722 £23,667
Class G £2,720 £4,081 £5,440 £7,253 £9,068 £12,694 £16,324 £21,759 £27,200 £32,641
Class H £1,905 £2,720 £3,945 £5,261 £6,574 £9,205 £11,835 £15,777 £19,722 £23,667
Class I £1,905 £2,720 £3,945 £5,261 £6,574 £9,205 £11,835 £15,777 £19,722 £23,667

(b)Refresher Fees
SOLICITOR
 Actual Duration of Trial
Offences falling within Classes A to I Refresher Fee 1 Refresher Fee 2 Refresher Fee 3
 2-8 Days 9-16 Days 17-80 Days
Full Day £435 £522 £609
Half Day £218 £261 £305

COUNSELKing’s Counsel
 Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within Classes A to I Refresher Fee 1 Refresher Fee 2 Refresher Fee 3 Refresher Fee 4 Refresher Fee 5 Refresher Fee 6 Refresher Fee 7 Refresher Fee 8 Refresher Fee 9 Refresher Fee 10
 2 to 8 days 9 to 16 days 17 to 24 days 25 to 32 days 33 to 40 days 41 to 48 days 49 to 56 days 57 to 64 days 65 to 72 days 73 to 80 days
Full Day £464 £557 £650 £742 £835 £928 £928 £928 £928 £928
Half Day £232 £278 £325 £371 £418 £464 £464 £464 £464 £464

Leading Junior Counsel
 Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within Classes A to I Refresher Fee 1 Refresher Fee 2 Refresher Fee 3 Refresher Fee 4 Refresher Fee 5 Refresher Fee 6 Refresher Fee 7 Refresher Fee 8 Refresher Fee 9 Refresher Fee 10
 2 to 8 days 9 to 16 days 17 to 24 days 25 to 32 days 33 to 40 days 41 to 48 days 49 to 56 days 57 to 64 days 65 to 72 days 73 to 80 days
Full Day £348 £418 £487 £557 £626 £696 £696 £696 £696 £696
Half Day £174 £209 £244 £278 £313 £348 £348 £348 £348 £348

Led Junior Counsel
 Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within Classes A to I Refresher Fee 1 Refresher Fee 2 Refresher Fee 3 Refresher Fee 4 Refresher Fee 5 Refresher Fee 6 Refresher Fee 7 Refresher Fee 8 Refresher Fee 9 Refresher Fee 10
 2 to 8 days 9 to 16 days 17 to 24 days 25 to 32 days 33 to 40 days 41 to 48 days 49 to 56 days 57 to 64 days 65 to 72 days 73 to 80 days
Full Day £232 £278 £325 £371 £418 £464 £464 £464 £464 £464
Half Day £116 £139 £162 £186 £209 £232 £232 £232 £232 £232

Sole Junior Counsel
 Actual Duration of Trial
Offence falling within Classes A to I Refresher Fee 1 Refresher Fee 2 Refresher Fee 3 Refresher Fee 4 Refresher Fee 5 Refresher Fee 6 Refresher Fee 7 Refresher Fee 8 Refresher Fee 9 Refresher Fee 10
 2 to 8 days 9 to 16 days 17 to 24 days 25 to 32 days 33 to 40 days 41 to 48 days 49 to 56 days 57 to 64 days 65 to 72 days 73 to 80 days
Full Day £302 £362 £422 £483 £543 £603 £603 £603 £603 £603
Half Day £151 £181 £211 £241 £271 £302 £302 £302 £302 £302”
(5) In paragraph 7A(2), for “£1”, substitute “£1.16”.
(6) In paragraph 8—
(a) in subparagraph (3), omit “the Crown”;
(b) after subparagraph (3), insert—“
(3A) In this paragraph, “Court” means—
(a) the Crown Court; or
(b) the magistrates’ court, where the assisted person was a child charged with an indictable only offence, and whose case was dealt with as provided for under Article 17 of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;
as the case may be.”.
(7) Following paragraph 9, for the Tables of Guilty Plea Fees and Trial Preparation Fees, substitute the following Tables—“TABLES OF GUILTY PLEA FEES AND TRIAL PREPARATION FEES

(a) Guilty Plea Fee
SOLICITOR
Offence falling within Fee
Class A £6,646
Class B £1,595
Class C £1,059
Class D £3,292
Class E £1.059
Class F £1,132
Class G £1.853
Class H £1.059
Class I £1,059

COUNSEL
Offence falling within King’s Counsel Fee Leading Junior Counsel Fee Led Junior Counsel Fee Sole Junior Counsel Fee
Class A £3,318 £2,488 £1,659 £2,156
Class B £1,670 £1,253 £835 £1,086
Class C £1,431 £1,074 £716 £930
Class D £2,292 £1,719 £1,146 £1,491
Class E £1,431 £1,074 £716 £930
Class F £1,431 £1,074 £716 £930
Class G £1,813 £1,361 £907 £1,180
Class H £1,431 £1,074 £716 £930
Class I £1,431 £1,074 £716 £930

(b)Trial Preparation Fees
SOLICITOR
Offence falling within PPE range Fee
Class A 1 – 750 £7,390
Class A 751 – 1,500 £12,845
Class A 1,501 – 3,000 £28,901
Class B 1 – 750 £1,861
Class B 751 – 1,500 £3,234
Class B 1,501 – 3,000 £7,279
Class C 1 – 750 £1,221
Class C 751 – 1,500 £2,124
Class C 1,501 – 3,000 £4,778
Class D 1 – 750 £3,704
Class D 751 – 1,500 £6,437
Class D 1,501 – 3,000 £14,484
Class E 1 – 750 £1,221
Class E 751 – 1,500 £2,124
Class E 1,501 – 3,000 £4,778
Class F 1 – 750 £1,320
Class F 751 – 1,500 £2,294
Class F 1,501 – 3,000 £5,164
Class G 1 – 750 £2,161
Class G 751 – 1,500 £3,755
Class G 1,501 – 3,000 £8,448
Class H 1 – 750 £1,221
Class H 751 – 1,500 £2,124
Class H 1,501 – 3,000 £4,778
Class I 1 – 750 £1,221
Class I 751 – 1,500 £2,124
Class I 1,501 – 3,000 £4,778

COUNSEL
Offence falling within PPE range King’s Counsel Fee Leading Junior Counsel Fee Led Junior Counsel Fee Sole Junior Counsel Fee
Class A 1 – 750 £5,220 £3,915 £2,610 £3,393
Class A 751 – 1,500 £9,744 £7,308 £4,872 £6,334
Class A 1,501 – 3,000 £21,924 £16,443 £10,962 £14,251
Class B 1 – 750 £2,352 £1,763 £1,176 £1,529
Class B 751 – 1,500 £4,795 £3,596 £2,398 £3,116
Class B 1,501 – 3,000 £11,373 £8,528 £5,686 £7,392
Class C 1 – 750 £2,066 £1,549 £1,034 £1,343
Class C 751 – 1,500 £4,203 £3,153 £2,102 £2,733
Class C 1,501 – 3,000 £9,390 £7,042 £4,695 £6,104
Class D 1 – 750 £3,480 £2,610 £1,740 £2,262
Class D 751 – 1,500 £7,351 £5,512 £3,675 £4,778
Class D 1,501 – 3,000 £15,572 £11,679 £7,786 £10,122
Class E 1 – 750 £2,066 £1,549 £1,034 £1,343
Class E 751 – 1,500 £4,203 £3,153 £2,102 £2,733
Class E 1,501 – 3,000 £9,959 £7,468 £4,980 £6,474
Class F 1 – 750 £2,066 £1,549 £1,034 £1,343
Class F 751 – 1,500 £4,203 £3,153 £2,102 £2,733
Class F 1,501 – 3,000 £9,959 £7,468 £4,980 £6,474
Class G 1 – 750 £3,016 £2,263 £1,508 £1,960
Class G 751 – 1,500 £6,070 £4,552 £3,035 £3,945
Class G 1,501 – 3,000 £14,291 £10,720 £7,146 £9,289
Class H 1 – 750 £2,066 £1,549 £1,034 £1,343
Class H 751 – 1,500 £4,203 £3,153 £2,102 £2,733
Class H 1,501 – 3,000 £9,959 £7,468 £4,980 £6,474
Class I 1 – 750 £2,066 £1,549 £1,034 £1,343
Class I 751 – 1,500 £4,203 £3,153 £2,102 £2,733
Class I 1,501 – 3,000 £9,959 £7,468 £4,980 £6,474”
(8) In paragraph 9A(2), for “£1”, substitute “£1.16”.
(9) In paragraph 13(1)—
(a) in sub-paragraph (e), omit “and”;
(b) after sub-paragraph (e), insert—“(ee) the hearing of an application under Article 118A of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 for disclosure of material held by third parties; and”
(10) Following paragraph 14(2), for the Table of Confiscation Hearing Fees, substitute the following Table—“

TABLE OF CONFISCATION HEARING FEES
 Solicitor Fee King’s Counsel Fee Leading Junior Counsel Fee Led Junior Counsel Fee Sole Junior Counsel Fee
Full Day £609 £928 £696 £464 £603
Half Day £305 £464 £348 £232 £302”
(11) In paragraph 15B(3), for “£1”, substitute “£1.16”.
(12) In paragraph 16A(2), for “£180”, substitute “£209”.
(13) In paragraph 18A(3)(b)—
(a) for “£44.75”, substitute “£52”;
(b) for “£29.25”, substitute “£34”.
(14) Following paragraph 19, for the Tables of Additional Fees, substitute the following Tables—“

TABLES OF ADDITIONAL FEESSOLICITOR
Type of work Paragraph providing for fee Fee
Arraignment – Not Guilty 11 £104
Standby Fee 12(1) £435
Appearing at deferred sentencing hearing 15(1)(a) £218
Appearing at other sentencing hearing 15(1)(b) £116
Late sitting fee 17 £218
Cases within paragraph 2 19 £653
Application Fee 1(hearing not exceeding 1.5 hours) 12(2), 13,16 £131
Application Fee 2 (hearing exceeding 1.5 hours but not exceeding 3 hours) 12(2), 13,16 £218
Application Fee 3 (hearing exceeding 3 hours) 12(2), 13,16 £435
Sentence Hearing Preparation Fee PPE Range Up to 500 pages 15B £580
Sentence Hearing Preparation Fee PPE Range 501 – 750 pages 15B £870
Sentence Hearing Preparation Fee PPE Range 751 – 1,000 pages 15B £1,160
Public Protection Application Fee 1 (hearing not exceeding 1.5 hours) 15C £131
Public Protection Application Fee 2 (hearing exceeding 1.5 hours but not exceeding 3 hours) 15C £218
Public Protection Application Fee 3 (hearing exceeding 3 hours) 15C £435
Court-ordered youth conference – Lower standard fee (conferences lasting up to and including 1 hour) 18A £81
Court-ordered youth conference - Principal standard fee (conferences lasting more than 1 hour but not exceeding 2 hours) 18A £130.50

COUNSEL
Type of work Paragraph providing for the fee King’s Counsel Fee Leading Junior Counsel Fee Led Junior Counsel Fee Sole Junior Counsel Fee
Arraignment – Not Guilty 11 £139 £131 £87 £114
Standby Fee 12(1) £464 £348 £232 £302
Appearing at deferred sentencing hearing 15(1)(a) £371 £278 £186 £241
Appearing at other sentencing hearing 15(1)(b) £278 £209 £139 £181
Skeleton argument 15A, 18B £290 £218 £145 £189
Late sitting fee 17 £232 £174 £116 £151
Cases within paragraph 2 19 £696 £522 £348 £452
Application Fee 1 (hearing not exceeding 1.5 hours) 12(2), 13,16 £116 £109 £73 £95
Application Fee 2 (hearing exceeding 1.5 hours but not exceeding 3 hours) 12(2), 13,16 £232 £174 £116 £151
Application Fee 3 (hearing exceeding 3 hours) 12(2), 13,16 £464 £348 £232 £302
Sentence Hearing Preparation Fee (PPE Range Up to 500 pages) 15B £580 £435 £290 £383
Sentence Hearing Preparation Fee (PPE Range501 – 750 pages) 15B £870 £653 £435 £574
Sentence Hearing Preparation Fee (PPE Range751 – 1,000 pages) 15B £1,160 £870 £580 £766
Public Protection Application Fee 1(hearing not exceeding 1.5 hours) 15C £116 £109 £73 £95
Public Protection Application Fee 2(hearing exceeding 1.5 hours but not exceeding 3 hours) 15C £232 £174 £116 £151
Public Protection Application Fee 3(hearing exceeding 3 hours) 15C £464 £348 £232 £302
Consultations/views 18(1) £73 per hour £55 per hour £36 per hour £48 per hour
Listening to or viewing tapes etc. 18(2) £27 per 10 mins £20 per 10 mins £14 per 10 mins £18 per 10 mins
Court-ordered youth conference – Lower standard fee (conferences lasting up to and including 1 hour) 18A N/A N/A N/A £81
Court-ordered youth conference - Principal standard fee (conferences lasting more than 1 hour but not exceeding 2 hours) 18A N/A N/A N/A £130.50”
(15) In paragraph 29—
(a) in sub-paragraph (2), for “£24.75”, substitute “£60”;
(b) in sub-paragraph (3), for “£12.50”, substitute “£40”; and
(c) after sub-paragraph (4), insert—“
(5) Mileage, where payable, may be claimed at the rate of 45p per mile.”.
(16) In paragraph 30—
(a) in sub-paragraph (1), for “£12”, substitute “£60”; and
(b) after sub-paragraph (2), insert—“
(3) Mileage, where payable, may be claimed at the rate of 45p per mile.”.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Justice on 12th December 2025
Naomi R Long
Minister of Justice
The Department of Finance hereby approves the RulesSealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Finance on 12th December 2025
Maryann Smith
A senior officer of the Department of Finance
