R v Ozemelam

R v Ozemelam

The determining officer's conclusions regarding the format and page count of the disclosed data were not supported by the evidence. The solicitors' claim of 101.33 hours for reviewing 6,200 pages of PDF data was reasonable given the circumstances and the nature of the task.

Parties
Appellant: A2 Solicitors; Respondent: Determining Officer; Defendant: Kevin Ozemelam
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 May 2026
Procedural Posture
Criminal Costs Appeal / Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed
Legal Topics
Legal Aid Remuneration, Special Preparation Fees, Litigators Graduated Fee Scheme
Criminal Law Legal Costs Legal Aid Remuneration Special Preparation Fees Litigators Graduated Fee Scheme

Case Brief

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Parties

A2 Solicitors

Appellant

Determining Officer

Respondent

Kevin Ozemelam

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Costs Appeal / Appeal Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the determining officer erred in limiting the special preparation fee to 40 hours at Grade B
  2. 2 Whether the solicitors were justified in claiming 101.33 hours at Grade A for reviewing disclosed data

Ratio Decidendi

The determining officer's conclusions regarding the format and page count of the disclosed data were not supported by the evidence. The solicitors' claim of 101.33 hours for reviewing 6,200 pages of PDF data was reasonable given the circumstances and the nature of the task.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed

Orders

  • Determining officer to recalculate the special preparation claim based on 101.33 hours claimed
  • Applicant to be paid £700 for costs (exclusive of VAT) and £100 paid on appeal