Search judgments by proposition, citation, court, judge or legal topic, then move directly into the source-grounded case analysis.
Results update automatically as you type.
England and Wales decisions
Decisions matching the current search
An advocate’s appeal for higher fees under the Criminal Legal Aid Regulations was dismissed. The court held the fixed fee scheme applied and no escape clause was justified.
Preddie, R. v [2026] EWHC 820 (SCCO) (02 April 2026)
The Senior Courts Costs Office allowed an appeal in principle, holding that a 2024 representation order was ambiguous enough to permit junior-rate payment for 33 hours of pre-amendment preparatory work.
The trial fee must be calculated strictly by reference to the band of the offence for which the defendant was tried, which was attempted murder (Band 3.2), not conspiracy to murder (Band 1.2), regardless of case complexity or the indictment particulars. The court has no jurisdiction to hear appeals on travel and subsistence claims under the 2013 Regulations.
Source excerpt
Joyce, R. v [2026] EWHC 753 (SCCO) (27 March 2026)
The High Court dismissed a costs appeal, holding that the sentencing hearing was not a Newton hearing because it involved no disputed factual finding.
Kaky, Re [2026] EWHC 649 (SCCO) (18 March 2026)
The Senior Courts Costs Office held that conspiracy to commit female genital mutilation abroad is band 2.1, allowing the appeal on legal aid fee banding.
Briggs, R. v [2026] EWHC 459 (SCCO) (27 February 2026)
The Senior Courts Costs Office allowed an appeal over AGFS unused-material remuneration, holding trial transcripts counted as unused material and were payable.
Transcripts of the first trial, though not used by the prosecution, contained material capable of undermining the prosecution and assisting the defence. Their consideration was reasonable and necessary for the appellant, and they qualify as unused material under the regulations. The appellant is entitled to remuneration for time spent considering them in excess of three hours.
Source excerpt
A Newton hearing did not occur because no new evidence was heard at the sentencing hearing; the judge relied solely on evidence from the trial. Therefore, the fee payable to the appellant is to be calculated as for a transfer after trial and before sentencing, not as for a new trial.
Source excerpt
The Senior Courts Costs Office held that no Newton hearing took place, so the appellant was entitled only to a guilty plea fee, not a trial fee.
Palmer, R. v [2025] EWHC 1634 (SCCO) (27 June 2025)
The High Court held that no Newton hearing took place, so the appellant’s fee was payable only on a guilty plea basis, not as a trial fee.
Explore more
