Crime contracts

On this page:

About the Crime Contract
Agreement with The Law Society
Very High Cost Case Contracts
Guidance

About the Crime Contract

The Unified Contract (Crime) July 2008 regulates how criminal defence work is funded by the Criminal Defence Service (CDS). It secures the provision of competent, quality assured, best value contract work.

The current Contract came into effect on 14 Jul 08 and is on the Unified Contract (Crime) July 2008 page.

The General Criminal Contract (Jan 08) page contains the former contract for your information.

Agreement with The Law Society

In Apr 08 the LSC, Ministry of Justice and The Law Society reached agreement on the Court of Appeal's judgment on the Unified Contract. We have agreed a clear way forward.

Very High Cost Case Contracts

Read how we intend to take forward the high cost case panel.

Guidance

See Documents for:

CDS logo guidelines
equality & diversity guidance for providers.

Visit the CDS>Guidance on fees and funding page for the Criminal Bills Assessment Manual (incorporating the Police Station and Court Duty Solicitor Cost Assessment Manual).

More information on cost assessment and quality measurement is on the CDS>Quality and performance page.

The Duty Solicitor Manual is on the CDS>Criminal areas of work>Police stations page.

For more information

Minutes of the Criminal Contract Consultative Group are in this section.

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Last updated: 16 July 2008