GovWire

Civil/crime news: overnight accommodation rates set to rise

Legal Aid Agency

September 1
11:44 2023

Guideline rates for overnight accommodation are increasing from 1 September 2023 for both providers and experts.

What will the new rates be?

The rates will increase to 100 per night in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle and 65 per night elsewhere.

This compares to the current guideline rates of 85.25 per night and 55.25 per night, respectively.

Our caseworkers will retain their discretionary authority to agree rates in excess of the guidelines. This applies where providers are able to demonstrate a lack of suitable accommodation at these prices.

All figures are exclusive of VAT.

Why is this happening now?

The rises reflect provider concerns about the difficulty of securing suitable accommodation within the current guideline rates. The issue was also raised by circuit leaders in a meeting with the Lord Chancellor.

Making this change:

  • gives providers greater flexibility finding suitable accommodation when needed
  • aligns rates more closely with similar rates used elsewhere, including for witnesses
  • reduces the administrative burden on providers and LAA staff to justify costs above current guideline rates

Where can I find out more?

Details of the new rates can be found on GOV.UK. Resources include the Crown Court fee guidance, and the escape cases electronic handbook which sit on their own pages.

The criminal bills assessment manual and the civil finance electronic handbook are both on our legal aid guidance page.

The resources are listed below, including the enabling civil and criminal legal aid regulations.

Further information

Crown Court fee guidance

Escape cases electronic handbook

Legal aid guidance page has following resources:

Criminal Bills Assessment Manual

Civil Finance electronic handbook

Regulatory links:

Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations regulation 6(2)

Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 20

Related Articles

Comments

  1. We don't have any comments for this article yet. Why not join in and start a discussion.

Write a Comment

Your name:
Your email:
Comments:

Post my comment

Recent Comments

Follow Us on Twitter

Share This


Enjoyed this? Why not share it with others if you've found it useful by using one of the tools below: