CDS News

The Ministry of Justice has today given effect to changes to arrangements and levels of remuneration for Police Station and Committals work, following their consultation "Legal Aid: Funding Reforms".

The changes have been effected through amendments to the CDS Funding Orders, signed by Lord Bach on Tuesday 9 March 2010. The LSC sent out an email on 9 March 2010 to all CDS Providers giving them the link to the Contract Notice, which is on the Unified Contract (Crime) page on the LSC website in order to effect service of this Contract Notice. As a matter of courtesy, a paper copy of the Contract Notice will also be sent to all Unified Contract (Crime) holders in the near future.

Police Stations

The MoJ have now given effect to the reductions to 148 police station fixed fees originally announced in the response to consultation. These fees take effect for all police station attendances commenced on or after 6 April 2010.

Committal Hearings

The MoJ have now given effect to the introduction of a fee for Committals work, fixed at £318 exc. VAT.

Following the changes to the Funding Order, this fee can now only be claimed as part of the bill submitted at the conclusion of the Crown Court matter as part of the Litigators Graduated Fee Scheme bill.

This change takes effect for all matters where a representation order is granted on or after 6 April 2010.

These arrangements only apply to those cases that reach the Crown Court following a committal hearing.

If proceedings are dismissed or withdrawn at the committal hearing, then the case will remain in scope of the magistrates’ court standard fee scheme under the Unified Contract (Crime).

More information

Please follow this link for details on the policy decision

Please follow these links for guidance on the new arrangements:

CDS6 & 7 Guidance

Codes Guidance

LGFS Guidance