CDS News

From 14 July 2010, litigators and advocates instructed on cases classified as VHCCs, with representation orders dated on or after that date, will operate under an individual case contracting arrangement.

These contracts will apply the 2008 Panel rates (£145 per hour for a Level A litigator on a category 1 VHCC).

Eligibility

To be eligible to undertake a VHCC case an organisation and self employed advocate will need to satisfy the eligibility criteria outlined in the VHCC Arrangements 2010. 

Organisations wishing to do this work should submit an application through the VHCC accreditation web page of the LSC website:

Self-employed advocates due to be instructed on cases classified as VHCCs (ie cases with trial estimates over 60 days) will also need to apply through this forum, but will be invited by the LSC to do so when appropriate.

There is no closing date for submitting an application as this is an open accreditation process. Organisations can submit applications at any time. However, only those organisations that have VHCC accreditation will be offered a VHCC contract should the organisation be instructed on a case classified as a VHCC.

Further information

For further details about the scheme, go to the VHCC accreditation web page.

Information on VHCC policy is under Very high cost criminal cases > policy.