The Complex Crime Unit (CCU)

On this page:

About the Complex Crime Unit
Which cases are now managed by the CCU as VHCCs?
Notification of VHCCs
The Contracting Process
The Specialist Fraud Panel
What you can find in the CCU section…

About the Complex Crime Unit

The Complex Crime Unit (CCU) of the Legal Services Commission is responsible for managing all crime Very High Cost Cases (VHCC) under CDS contract.

Which cases are now managed by the CCU as VHCCs?

These are cases in which a representation order has been granted on or after 3rd October 2011 and if the case were to proceed to trial, would likely last more than 60 days.

Notification of VHCCs

All defence teams must notify the Complex Crime Unit of any case where the trial is likely to last for 25 days or more.

The defence team must submit a VHCC Notification Request Form as soon as it appears that the case is likely to be a VHCC and, in any event, within five working days of:

the Plea and Case Management Hearing
or the defence team having identified that the case will be or is likely to be a VHCC.

This obligation is set out in the VHCC Arrangements 2010

The Contracting Process

Once the case has been designated a VHCC, there is no opt-out for suppliers from the contracting system.
All VHCCs will be conducted by Accredited VHCC Provider, Panel Members and Panel Advocates except in exceptional circumstances.
For each VHCC, the defence team (solicitor and advocate) will be assigned a dedicated Contract Manager from the Complex Crime Unit.
It is the Contract Manager’s role to negotiate with solicitors and advocates what work they will be conducting over the next three-month period.
Payment is made at the end of each three-month period, as long as the work falls within the tasks and hours agreed in advance.

Last updated: 20 December 2011