Statutory Instruments
2010 No. 1109

Legal Services Commission, England And Wales
The Community Legal Service (Funding) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2010

Made
28th March 2010

Laid before Parliament
31st March 2010

Coming into force
14th October 2010

The Lord Chancellor makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 6(4) and 25(8A) of the Access to Justice Act 1999(1).

He has consulted the General Council of the Bar and the Law Society in accordance with section 25(2) of that Act and has had regard to the matters specified in section 25(3) of that Act.

Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Community Legal Service (Funding) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2010 and comes into force on 14th October 2010.

(2) In this Order “the 2007 Order” means the Community Legal Service (Funding) Order 2007(2) and words and phrases used in this Order have the same meaning as in the 2007 Order.

Amendments to the 2007 Order

2.  The 2007 Order is amended as follows.

3.  In article 3(1)—

(a)after the definition of “the 2007 Act” insert—

““2010 Standard Civil Contract” means the contract between the Commission and a provider for the provision of funded services, including the contract for signature, the standard terms, the schedules and the specifications(3);

“advocates’ meeting” means an advocates’ meeting held under stage 2 or 3 of the Public Law Outline;

“advocacy services” means work done—

(i)
by an advocate at a court hearing;

(ii)
by an advocate, as such, in connection with an advocates’ meeting;

(iii)
by counsel in connection with a conference, and

(iv)
by counsel in connection with an opinion;

and fees and rates for advocacy services include remuneration for preparatory work, travelling (except where an exceptional travel fee is payable under Schedule 2) and waiting in relation to those services;

“child abduction proceedings” means proceedings within section 11.13 of Part 1 of the Funding Code or a dispute about legal rights and duties which would fall within that section if the level of service provided were to be extended to Legal Representation;”;

(b)after the definition of “Commission” insert—

““counsel” means—

a barrister in independent practice; and

a solicitor or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives who does not work in a partnership and who does not hold a 2010 Standard Civil Contract;;”;

(c)after the definition of “Mental Health Proceedings” insert—

““Public Law Outline” means the outline set out in the table following paragraph 10 of the Practice Direction, Public Law Proceedings: Guide to Case Management, April 2010, given by the President of the Family Division;”;

(d)omit the definition of “Unified Contract”.

4.  In article 3(2)—

(a)after ““Family Help (Lower)”” insert ““Family Help (Higher)”, “Investigative Help””;

(b)for ““and “Legal Representation”” substitute ““Legal Representation” and “Full Representation””.

5.—(1) In article 5(2), in each place where it appears, for “the Schedule to this Order” substitute “Schedule 1”.

(2) For the Schedule to the 2007 Order substitute Schedule 1 as set out in Schedule 1 to this Order.

6.—(1) After article 5 insert—

“Family advocacy scheme

5A.—(1) In proceedings to which this article applies, the Commission must fund advocacy services as part of the Community Legal Service in accordance with—

(a)the fees and rates set out in Schedule 2; and

(b)the provisions of the 2010 Standard Civil Contract.

(2) This article applies to advocacy services in family proceedings except for services provided—

(a)to any party in child abduction proceedings;

(b)in proceedings under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975(4);

(c)in proceedings under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996(5);

(d)in proceedings under Part 4A of the Family Law Act 1996(6);

(e)in defended proceedings for divorce or judicial separation or for dissolution of a civil partnership or the legal separation of civil partners;

(f)in proceedings for nullity of marriage or annulment of a civil partnership;

(g)in applications for a parental order under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008(7);

(h)in proceedings under the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court in relation to children;

(i)where the advocate separately represents a child in proceedings other than proceedings which are specified proceedings within the meaning of section 41(6) of the Children Act 1989(8) or are heard together with such specified proceedings;

(j)in proceedings in the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court;

(k)in a final appeal (as defined in the 2010 Standard Civil Contract);

(l)by Queen’s Counsel acting as such under a prior authority given by the Commission;

(m)under an individual case contract for a high cost case issued under rule A3 of Part 2 of the Funding Code.

Disbursements

5B.  Nothing in this Order prevents the Commission from paying reasonable disbursements.”.

(2) Schedule 2, which contains the Schedule referred to in article 5A(1), inserted by paragraph (1), has effect.

7.  Where—

(a)an application for funded services is made before 14th October 2010; or

(b)a client is in receipt of Investigative Help and Family Help (Higher) before 14th October 2010 and the funded services are extended on or after that date to include Full Representation; or

(c)a certificate issued under the Funding Code covers funded services which were applied for before 14th October 2010 (whether or not the scope of the certificate is extended on or after that date),

the 2007 Order continues to have effect as if this Order had not been made.

Revocation of the Community Legal Service (Funding) (Counsel in Family Proceedings) Order 2001

8.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Community Legal Service (Funding) (Counsel in Family Proceedings) Order 2001(9) is revoked.

(2) That Order continues to have effect where—

(a)an application for funded services is made before 14th October 2010; or

(b)a client is in receipt of Investigative Help and Family Help (Higher) before 14th October 2010 and the funded services are extended on or after that date to include Full Representation; or

(c)a certificate issued under the funding code covers funded services which were applied for before 14th October 2010 (whether or not the scope of the certificate is extended on or after that date).

Signed by authority of the Lord Chancellor

Bach
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Ministry of Justice
28th March 2010

Article 5
SCHEDULE 1

The following Schedule is substituted for the Schedule to the 2007 Order.

Article 5

“SCHEDULE 1Fees and Hourly Rates

Words and expressions used in this Schedule have the same meaning as in the 2010 Standard Civil Contract. The fees and rates in this Schedule are exclusive of value added tax.

Part 1 - Civil Standard and Graduated Fees

1 - Legal Help and Help at Court

Table 1

The fees in this Table for Housing do not apply to the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme – see Table 6.

Category
Schedule Authorisation Fixed fee
Schedule Authorisation Exceptional Thresholds
Tolerance Fixed Fee
Tolerance Exceptional Thresholds

Actions against the Police
£266
£798
£154
£462

Clinical Negligence
£217
£651
-
-

Community Care
£296
£888
£179
£537

Consumer General Contract
£177
£531
£149
£447

Debt
£200
£600
£123
£369

Education
£302
£906
£152
£456

Employment
£230
£690
£150
£450

Housing
£174
£522
£138
£414

Miscellaneous
£88
£264
-
-

Personal Injury
£226
£678
£154
£462

Public Law
£288
£864
£207
£621

Welfare Benefits
£167
£501
£136
£408

2 - Family Public Law

Table 2 (a): Legal Help

National
£147

Table 2(b): Family Help (Lower) – section 31 Children Act 1989 Care or Supervision Proceedings only

National
£405

Table 2(c): Legal Representation - section 31 Children Act 1989 Care or Supervision Proceedings only

Party
Court
Number of Clients
Midlands
North
London and South
Wales

Child
Other
1
£2,165
£1,775
£2,485
£2,426

Child
Other
2 or more
£3,247
£2,662
£3,728
£3,639

Child
High
1
£2,879
£2,361
£3,305
£3,226

Child
High
2 or more
£4,319
£3,542
£4,957
£4,838

Joined Party
Other
-
£1,148
£887
£1,334
£1,445

Joined Party
High
-
£1,527
£1,180
£1,774
£1,922

Parent
Other
1
£2,840
£2,359
£3,230
£2,925

Parent
Other
2
£3,551
£2,948
£4,037
£3,657

Parent
High
1
£3,777
£3,137
£4,296
£3,891

Parent
High
2
£4,721
£3,922
£5,369
£4,864

3 - Family Private Law

Table 3 (a): Legal Help

National
£96

Table 3 (b): Legal Help - Divorce Petition only

National
£162

Table 3 (c): Family Help (Lower) - Children

Fee
Settlement Fee

London
£256
£153

Non-London
£221
£132

Table 3 (d): Family Help (Lower) - Finance

Fee
Settlement Fee

London
£268
£161

Non-London
£231
£139

Table 3 (e): Higher Standard Fee Schemes – Children

Court
Family Help (Higher) Standard fee
Legal Representation Standard Fee

London
Other
£471
£335

High Court
£565
£402

Non-London
Other
£392
£279

High Court
£471
£335

Table 3 (f): Higher Standard Fee Schemes – Finance

Court
Family Help (Higher) Standard Fee
Family Help (Higher) Settlement Fee
Legal Representation Standard Fee

London
Other
£523
£105
£416

High Court
£628
£125
£499

Non-London
Other
£436
£87
£346

High Court
£523
£105
£416

Table 3 (g): Higher Standard Fee Schemes – Domestic Abuse Proceedings

Court
Legal Representation Standard Fee

London
Other
£675

High Court
£810

Non-London
Other
£563

High Court
£675

4 - Immigration

Table 4 (a): Immigration standard fees

Stage 1 (Legal Help)
Stage 2a (Controlled Legal Representation)
Stage 2b (Controlled Legal Representation)

Asylum
£459
£252
£630

Immigration Non-asylum
£260
£252
£504

Table 4 (b) Additional payment – Home Office interview

Representation at Home Office interview
£296

Table 4 (c): Additional payments – advocacy services

Additional Payment

Oral Case Management Review Hearing
£184

Telephone Case Management Review Hearing
£100

Representation at a substantive hearing in the Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal
£336 Asylum, £263 Immigration

Additional day substantive hearing
£179 Asylum, £179 Immigration

Table 4 (d): Immigration removal centres standard fees (for exclusive schedule holders only)

On-site surgery – advising five or more clients
£400

On-site surgery – advising four clients or fewer
£200

Fast-track standby payment
£37.80

5 - Mental Health

Table 5 (a): Basic Fees

Basic Fees

Mental Health – non-Tribunal
£281

Level 1 (Mental Health Proceedings)
£143

Level 2 (Mental Health Proceedings)
£357

Level 3 (Mental Health Proceedings)
£327

Table 5 (b): Additional Fees

Additional Fees

Adjourned Hearing Fee
£130

Remote Travel payment Level 1 (Mental Health Proceedings)
£77

Remote Travel payment: Mental Health – non-Tribunal, Level 2 (Mental Health Proceedings), Level 3 (Mental Health Proceedings)
£153

6 - Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme

Table 6: Standard Fee

London
£84

Non-London
£79.50

Part 2 - Hourly Rates – Controlled Work

7 - Legal Help, Help at Court and Family Help (Lower)

Table 7 (a): Immigration exceptional cases, Mental Health, Actions against the Police etc., Public Law, Education and Community Care

Activity
London Rate
Non-London Rate

Preparation, attendance and advocacy
£58.50 per hour
£53.60 per hour

Travel and waiting time
£30.90 per hour
£30.00 per hour

Routine letters out and telephone calls
£4.50 per item
£4.20 per item

Table 7 (b): Family and Housing (except as in Table 7 (c)) and Employment

Activity
London Rate
Non-London Rate

Preparation, attendance and advocacy
£54.15 per hour
£51.05 per hour

Travel and waiting time
£28.60 per hour
£28.60 per hour

Routine letters out and telephone calls
£4.20 per item
£4.05 per item

Table 7 (c): Legal Help or Help at Court provided in relation to a review under section 202 of the Housing Act 1996(10) and to a defendant to a possession claim in the county court; Family Help (Lower) and related Legal Help in relation to care or supervision proceedings under section 31 of the Children Act 1989

Activity
London Rate
Non-London Rate

Preparation, attendance and advocacy
£62.40 per hour
£58.40 per hour

Travel and waiting time
£30.90 per hour
£30.05 per hour

Routine letters out and telephone calls
£4.50 per item
£4.20 per item

Table 7 (d): Immigration hourly rates cases

Activity
London Rate
Non-London Rate

Preparation, attendance and advocacy
£57.35 per hour
£52.55 per hour

Travel and waiting time
£30.30 per hour
£29.45 per hour

Routine letters out and telephone calls
£4.40 per item
£4.10 per item

Table 7 (e): All other categories and all tolerance work

Activity
London Rate
Non-London Rate

Preparation, attendance and advocacy
£51.70 per hour
£48.75 per hour

Travel and waiting time
£27.35 per hour
£27.35 per hour

Routine letters out and telephone calls
£4.00 per item
£3.85 per item

8 - Controlled Legal Representation

Table 8 (a): Immigration – exceptional cases

Activity
London Rate
Non-London Rate

Preparation and attendance
£64.25 per hour
£60.10 per hour

Travel and waiting time
£31.80 per hour
£30.90 per hour

Routine letters out and telephone calls
£4.60 per item
£4.30 per item

Advocacy
£73.10 per hour
£73.10 per hour

Table 8 (b): Immigration – Upper Tribunal cases where permission granted to client (non-Fast-track)

Activity
London Rate
Non-London Rate

Preparation and attendance
£82.62 per hour
£77.29 per hour

Travel and waiting time
£40.91 per hour
£39.76 per hour

Routine letters out and telephone calls
£5.94 per item
£5.54 per item

Advocacy
£93.96 per hour
£93.96 per hour

Table 8 (c): Immigration – other hourly rates cases

Activity
London Rate
Non-London Rate

Preparation and attendance
£61.20 per hour
£57.25 per hour

Travel and waiting time
£30.30 per hour
£29.45 per hour

Routine letters out and telephone calls
£4.40 per item
£4.10 per item

Advocacy
£69.60 per hour
£69.60 per hour

Table 8 (d): Representation in Mental Health proceedings

Activity
London Rate
Non London Rate

Preparation and attendance
£64.25 per hour
£60.10 per hour

Travel and waiting time
£31.80 per hour
£30.90 per hour

Letters and telephone calls
£4.60 per item
£4.30 per item

Advocacy
£73.10 per hour
£73.10 per hour

Attending tribunal with counsel
£34.20 per hour
£34.20 per hour

Part 3 - Hourly Rates – Licensed Work

9 - Family Prescribed Rates

Table 9 (a): Care Proceedings

Activity
Higher Courts
County court and family proceedings court

Writing routine letters
£4.70 per item
£4.10 per item

Receiving routine letters
£2.35 per item
£2.05 per item

Routine telephone calls
£4.70 per item
£4.10 per item

Preparation and attendance

£77.85 per hour (London Rate)

£73.15 per hour (non-London Rate)

£68.20 per hour (London Rate)

£64.90 per hour (non-London Rate)

Attending at court or conference with counsel
£41.25 per hour
£36.30 per hour

Advocacy

£77.85 per hour (London Rate)

£73.15 per hour (non-London Rate)

£71.50 per hour

Travelling and waiting time
£35.75 per hour
£32.45 per hour

Table 9 (b): Other Family Proceedings

Activity
Higher Courts
County court and family proceedings court

Writing routine letters
£7.05 per item
£6.00 per item

Receiving routine letters
£3.50 per item
£3.00 per item

Routine telephone calls
£7.05 per item
£6.00 per item

Preparation and attendance

£78.40 per hour (London Rate)

£73.05 per hour (non-London Rate)

£66.00 per hour (London Rate)

£61.00 per hour (non-London Rate)

Attending at court or conference with counsel
£41.25 per hour
£36.00 per hour

Advocacy

£78.40 per hour (London Rate)

£73.05 per hour (non-London Rate)

£66.00 per hour (London Rate)

£63.00 per hour (non-London Rate)

Travelling and waiting time
£35.75 per hour

£32.00 per hour (London Rate)

£31.00 per hour (non-London Rate)

10 - Non Family Prescribed Rates

Table 10 (a): Higher Courts, county courts and magistrates’ courts for work carried out with Schedule authorisation

Activity
Higher Courts
County court and magistrates’ court

Writing routine letters
£7.50 per item
£6.60 per item

Routine telephone calls
£4.15 per item
£3.65 per item

Preparation and attendance

£79.50 per hour (London Rate)

£75.00 per hour (non-London Rate)

£70.00 per hour (London Rate)

£66.00 per hour (non-London Rate)

Attending at court or conference with counsel
£37.00 per hour
£32.50 per hour

Advocacy
£75.00 per hour
£66.00 per hour

Travelling and waiting time
£33.25 per hour
£29.20 per hour

Table 10 (b): Higher Courts, county court and magistrates’ court for work not carried out with Schedule authorisation

Activity
Higher Courts
County court and magistrates’ court

Writing routine letters
£7.40 per item
£6.50 per item

Routine telephone calls
£4.10 per item
£3.60 per item

Preparation and attendance

£78.50 per hour (London Rate)

£74.00 per hour (non-London Rate)

£69.00 per hour (London Rate)

£65.00 per hour (non-London Rate)

Attending at court or conference with counsel
£36.40 per hour
£32.00 per hour

Advocacy
£74.00 per hour
£65.00 per hour

Travelling and waiting time
£32.70 per hour
£28.75 per hour

Table 10 (c) First-tier Tribunal

Activity
London Rate
Non-London Rate

Preparation and attendance
£61.20 per hour
£57.25 per hour

Routine letters out and telephone calls
£4.40 per item
£4.10 per item

Advocacy
£69.60 per hour
£69.60 per hour

Attending tribunal or conference with counsel
£32.55 per hour
£32.55 per hour

Travelling and waiting time
£30.30 per hour
£29.45 per hour

Part 4 – Family Mediation Fees

11- Family Mediation

Table 11 (a): Willingness Test

Willingness Test

£25

Table 11 (b): Assessment Meetings

Activity

Assessment alone
£87

Assessment separate
£87

Assessment together
£130

Table 11 (c): Mediation Fees

Category of Work
Single Session
Multi Session
Agreed Proposal

All Issues Sole Mediation
£168
£756
£252

All Issues Co-Mediation
£230
£1,064
£252

Property and Finance Sole Mediation
£168
£588
£189

Property and Finance Co-Mediation
£230
£834
£189

Child Sole Mediation
£168
£462
£126

Child Co-Mediation
£230
£647
£126”


Article 6
SCHEDULE 2

The following Schedule is inserted as Schedule 2 to the 2007 Order.

Article 5A

“SCHEDULE 2Family Advocacy Scheme

Words and expressions used in this Schedule have the same meaning as in the 2010 Standard Civil Contract. The fees and rates in this Schedule are exclusive of value added tax.

1- Public Law Advocacy Fees

Table 1 (a): Care or supervision proceedings under section 31 of the Children Act 1989 – graduated fees

Court
Hearing unit 1 (up to 1 hour)
Hearing unit 2 (up to 2.5 hours)
Conference fee
Opinion fee
Advocates’ meeting fee
Final hearing fee (per day)

Family proceedings court
£96.35
£240.90
£141.90
£117.40
£142.40
£562.50

County court
£106.00
£264.95
£141.90
£117.40
£156.65
£618.75

High Court
£127.20
£317.95
£141.90
£117.40
£188.00
£742.50

Table 1 (b): Other public law cases – graduated fees

Court
Hearing unit 1 (up to 1 hour
Hearing unit 2 (up to 2.5 hours)
Conference fee
Opinion fee
Advocates’ meeting fee
Final hearing fee (per day)

Family proceedings court
£84.25
£210.65
£141.90
£117.40
£142.40
£515.90

County court
£92.65
£231.70
£141.90
£117.40
£156.65
£567.50

High Court
£111.20
£278.00
£141.90
£117.40
£188.00
£681.00

Table 1 (c): Public law - bolt-on fees

Category
Payable for
Fee

Client – allegation of harm
Hearing
25% of hearing unit fee

Client – lack of understanding etc

Hearing
25% of hearing unit fee

Expert’s cross-examination
Hearing
25% of hearing unit fee

Exceptional travel fee
Hearings, advocates’ meetings and conferences
£35.60

Table 1 (d): Public law – court bundle payments

Hearing
CB1 (350-700 pages)
CB2 (701-1400 pages)
CB3 (over 1400 pages)

Interim hearing
£66.00
£99.00
-

Final hearing
£177.00
£266.00
£354.00

2 – Private Law Advocacy Fees

Table 2 (a): Private law children – graduated fees

Court
Hearing unit 1 (up to 1 hour)
Hearing unit 2 (up to 2.5 hours)
Conference fee
Opinion fee
Final hearing (per day)

Family proceedings court
£69.65
£174.15
£139.30
£104.50
£441.15

County court
£76.60
£191.55
£139.30
£104.50
£485.25

High Court
£91.95
£229.85
£139.30
£104.50
£582.30

Table 2 (b): Domestic abuse – graduated fees

Court
Hearing unit 1 (up to 1 hour)
Hearing unit 2 (up to 2.5 hours)
Final hearing fee (per day)

Family proceedings court, county court and High Court
£90.55
£226.40
£401.30

Table 2 (c): Private law finance – graduated fees

Court
Hearing unit 1 (up to 1 hour)
Hearing unit 2 (up to 2.5 hours)
Family dispute resolution hearing unit 1
Family dispute resolution hearing unit 2
Early resolution fee
Conference fee
Opinion fee
Final hearing fee (per day)

County court
£70.20
£175.50
£112.30
£280.80
£140.40
£140.40
£105.30
£493.00

High Court
£84.25
£210.60
£134.80
£336.95
£168.50
£140.40
£105.30
£591.60

Table 2 (d): Private law – bolt-on fees

Category
Payable for
Fee

Client – allegations of harm
Private law children hearing
25% of hearing unit fee

Expert’s cross-examination
Private law children hearing
20% of hearing unit fee

Exceptional travel fee
Hearings and conferences
£35.60

Table 2 (e): Private law children and finance – court bundle payments

Hearing
CB1 (350-700 pages)
CB2 (701-1400 pages)
CB3 (over 1400 pages)

Interim hearing
£66.00
£99.00
-

Final hearing
£177.00
£266.00
£354.00”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order imposes conditions on the funding of services as part of the Community Legal Service, by limiting the powers of the Legal Services Commission to pay remuneration under contract for the provision of funded services. The Order substitutes a new schedule which sets out revised remuneration fees and rates which will be payable for funded services. The Order also requires the Commission to pay remuneration for advocacy services in certain family proceedings at rates and fees set out in a second schedule and in accordance with the 2010 Standard Civil Contract issued by the Commission. As a consequence of this, the Order governing the payment of remuneration to counsel in family proceedings is revoked.

An impact assessment was published on 21st October 2009 by the Legal Services Commission as part of “Family Legal Aid Funding from 2010: a Consultation Response” and is available from the Commission at 4 Abbey Orchard Street, London SW1P 2BS or at www.legalservices.gov.uk.

(1)
1999 c. 22. The reference in section 6 to the Lord Chancellor was changed to the Secretary of State by S.I. 2003/1887 and changed back to the Lord Chancellor by S.I. 2005/3429. Section 25(8A) was inserted by section 153 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25).

(2)
S.I. 2007/2441, amended by S.I. 2008/1328, 2008/2704, 2009/2468 and 2010/95.

(3)
Published by the Commission on 26th March 2010 and available on its website at www.legalservices.gov.uk.

(4)
1975 c. 63.

(5)
1996 c. 47.

(6)
1996 c. 27. Part 4A was inserted by section 1 of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 (c. 20).

(7)
2008 c. 22.

(8)
1989 c. 41. Section 41(6) was amended by section 122(1)(a) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (c. 38).

(9)
S.I. 2001/1077, amended by S.I. 2003/2590. 2005/184, 2006/2364, 2007/2443, 2007/3169 and 2008/666.

(10)
1996 c.52.