R v Popo

R v Popo

The appellant failed to demonstrate that the trial had begun in a meaningful sense, as only ordinary case management and administrative matters occurred before the prosecution offered no evidence. No substantial judicial rulings or exceptional case management were undertaken. Therefore, only a cracked trial fee is...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Appellant: Joseph Hill & Co (Solicitors); Defendant: Nigel Popo; Respondent: The Crown (R)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 October 2026
Procedural Posture
Costs Appeal (criminal Legal Aid) / Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Graduated Fee Scheme, Cracked Trial Definition, Commencement of Trial, Case Management
Criminal Law Legal Aid Costs Graduated Fee Scheme Cracked Trial Definition Commencement of Trial Case Management

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Joseph Hill & Co (Solicitors)

Appellant

Nigel Popo

Defendant

The Crown (R)

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Costs Appeal (criminal Legal Aid) / Appeal Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the trial had begun in a meaningful sense for the purposes of the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013
  2. 2 Whether the appellant is entitled to a trial fee or only a cracked trial fee

Ratio Decidendi

The appellant failed to demonstrate that the trial had begun in a meaningful sense, as only ordinary case management and administrative matters occurred before the prosecution offered no evidence. No substantial judicial rulings or exceptional case management were undertaken. Therefore, only a cracked trial fee is payable.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appellant to be paid only the cracked trial fee
  • No order for a trial fee