CDS News

We have announced the outcome of our consultation on the provision of a sustainable scheme for Very High Cost (Crime) Cases (VHCCs).

Extending current scheme

We will extend the current interim scheme for 12 months. 

We will contact all panel members and panel advocates shortly concerning their contracts.

Chief Executive Carolyn Regan said:

“Having reviewed the responses to the consultation and having sought the views of the Working Group, the LSC has decided not to implement either of the VHCC payment mechanisms suggested.

“Along with the other members of the Working Group we will continue to work towards an acceptable replacement scheme.

"However, it seems that this work may not be completed in time to be brought into force immediately before the scheduled end date of the existing VHCC Panel Contracts on 13 July 2009.

"To ensure continuity, we are extending the current interim scheme for a further 12 months.”

Why extend the interim arrangements?

Consultation responses show some key aspects of the new scheme were welcomed.

Overall, some proposals put forward for the new scheme were not accepted by a large majority of practitioners.

The decision to extend the current interim scheme follows close cooperation from the Working Group, which was set up by the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor.

The group includes representatives from:

• the Bar Council
• The Law Society
• the Ministry of Justice
• the LSC.

Developing a new scheme

All members of the Working Group remain committed to the principle of developing a scheme whose operation is acceptable to both litigators and advocates.

No final decisions on the future payment mechanism for VHCCs will be taken until:

• additional work is completed
• we receive responses to a further consultation.

Next steps

The Working Group should have in place a fully worked up scheme ready for consultation so that, subject to the outcome of that consultation, a new scheme may be implemented no later than July 2010.

For more information

Read the response to consultation on the CDS>Crime consultations pages.