CLS news

On 4 Aug 09 an amended family graduated fees funding order takes effect.

We announced the fee scheme changes in Feb 09, following a full consultation.

They will apply to all work carried out under new and existing certificates from 4 Aug 09.

What are the changes?

These changes apply to the family graduated fee scheme:

• in public law cases, abolish the “more than two parties” SIP
• increase base hearing fees for public law children cases
• in private law children cases, reduce the uplift provided by the “conduct” SIP from 50% to 30%
• in private law children cases, reduce the uplift provided by the “more than one expert” SIP from 50% to 20%
• in ancillary relief cases, abolish the “conduct” SIP; the “assets” SIP; the “more than one expert” SIP; and the “analysis of accounts” SIP
• in ancillary relief cases, reduce the uplift provided by the “litigant in person” SIP from 25% to 20%
• in ancillary relief cases, reduce the uplift provided by the “relevant foreign element” SIP from 25% to 20%.

Improved procedures for barristers' claims

We are also introducing improved procedures for barristers’ claims for special preparation fees (SPF).

Barristers claiming these fees should submit a detailed schedule to judges of preparation hours so these payments are only made where appropriate.

Form redesigned

We have also redesigned the special issue payment (SIP) form so that various points are clearer including:

• the basis for claiming each payment
• clarification on court bundle payments.

Finding out more

All key information will be available on this website on 4 Aug 09:

• visit the CLS > Forms pages for all forms, including the revised CLAIM5
• visit the Family graduated fee scheme page for guidance and a Q&A.

Check the CLS > News pages on 4 Aug for the latest news and links to the above information.

Any questions?

Please email: family@legalservices.gov.uk.