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The Civil Legal Services (Remuneration) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015

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Article 1(2)

SCHEDULE 1N.I.Instruments Revoked

TitleRegistered NumberRegulations Revoked
The Legal Aid (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1965No. 217Regulations 19 to 21, 21A(4) to (7), 22 to 25 and 27
Legal Aid (Remuneration of Solicitors and Counsel in County Court Proceedings) Order (Northern Ireland) 1981No. 179The whole instrument
Legal Aid (Remuneration of Solicitors and Counsel in Authorised Summary Proceedings) Order (Northern Ireland) 1981No. 365The whole instrument
The Legal Advice and Assistance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1981No. 366Regulation 23

Article 9

SCHEDULE 2N.I.ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE

PART 1N.I.General

1.  This Schedule applies to the determination of the remuneration payable to solicitors for providing advice and assistance, including those matters in which the Director has granted an extension under regulation 32 of the General Regulations.N.I.

2.  Where the remuneration or fees properly chargeable for the advice and assistance including charges for disbursements exceed any contribution payable by the client to the solicitor under Part 3 of the Financial Regulations together with the value of any charge arising under Article 17(7) of the 2003 Order, the solicitor shall submit a claim to the Department requesting payment of the deficiency.N.I.

3.—(1) The Department shall determine the claim submitted under Article 8 in accordance with the rates or fees set out in Part 2 or 3 of this Schedule, as applicable, and pay the assessed deficiency, if any, to the solicitor.N.I.

(2) In this paragraph “assessed deficiency” means the amount by which the sum allowed to the solicitor by the Department in assessing the claim under sub-paragraph (1) exceeds any contribution payable by the client to the solicitor under Part 3 of the Financial Regulations together with the value of any charge arising under Article 17(7) of the 2003 Order.

[F1(3) In respect of any claims for costs made for work done under Tables 2 and 3 of Part 2 of this Schedule, a solicitor may claim for mileage only at the rate of 35.7p per mile. No claim shall be entertained for travel and waiting time.

(4) Unless otherwise prescribed by this Schedule, travel and waiting time may be claimed at the rate of £24.25 per hour and mileage may be claimed at the rate of 35.7p per mile for matters falling within this Schedule.]

Textual Amendments

PART 2N.I.[F2Matters other than those relating to PACE, Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 or Schedule 3 to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019]

Textual Amendments

Table 1:

Solicitor – Hourly Rates

Work TypeRate
Advice£43.25 per hour
[F3Letters/Emails/Telephone Calls] [F4£3.35 per item / call]
F5. . .F5. . .
F6. . .F6. . .

Textual Amendments

Guide to Case Management in Public Law Children Order Proceedings (Article 50)

Table 2:
Solicitor – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
Advice given to parent in relation to Letter Before Proceedings (LBP)£144
Preparation and Attendance with Parent at Pre-Proceedings Meeting (PPM)£347

All preparation work up to, and including, review of case by a single Parole Commissioner under Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

M1Table 3:
Solicitor – Standard Fees
Work Type – Stage 1Standard Fee
Prisoner serving a Determinate Custodial
Sentence (DCS)£350
Prisoner serving an Extended Custodial
Sentence (ECS)£500
Prisoner serving an Indeterminate Custodial
Sentence (ICS)£700

Marginal Citations

PART 3N.I.Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) matters[F7, Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 matters or Schedule 3 to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 matters]

Textual Amendments

Table 1:

Solicitor – Hourly Rates

1 This work relates to interviews conducted under the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) 1989 – S.I. 1989/1341 (N.I. 12) [F8, Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 or Schedule 3 to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019]

2 Unsocial hours are defined as between 7.00pm and 9.00am on any weekday, or any time on a Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday

Work Type1Rate
Normal Hours
Advice£51.90 per hour
[F3Letters/Emails/Telephone Calls]£4.02 per item
Telephone advice£23.70 per call
Travel and waiting time£29.10 per hour
Mileage rate42.8p per mile
Unsocial Hours2
Advice£69.20 per hour
[F3Letters/Emails/Telephone Calls]£5.36 per item
Telephone advice£31.60 per call
Travel and waiting time£38.80 per hour
Mileage rate42.8p per mile

Textual Amendments

Article 9

SCHEDULE 3N.I.REPRESENTATION (LOWER COURTS)

PART 1N.I.General

1.  This Schedule applies to the determination of the remuneration payable to representatives for providing representation (lower courts).N.I.

2.  Where the remuneration or fees properly chargeable for the representation including charges for disbursements exceed any contribution payable by the client to the solicitor under Part 3 of the Financial Regulations together with the value of any charge arising under Article 17(7) of the 2003 Order, [F9the representative shall submit a claim] to the Department requesting payment of the deficiency.N.I.

Textual Amendments

3.—(1) The Department shall determine the claim submitted under Article 8 in accordance with the rates or fees set out in the relevant Table in Part 2 or 3 of this Schedule, as applicable, and pay the assessed deficiency, if any, to the [F10representative] .N.I.

(2) In this paragraph “assessed deficiency” means the amount by which the sum allowed to the representatives by the Department in assessing the claim under sub-paragraph (1) exceeds any contribution payable by the client to the solicitor under Part 3 of the Financial Regulations together with the value of any charge arising under Article 17(7) of the 2003 Order.

Textual Amendments

[F114.  In this Schedule, any reference to “Letters” or “letters” shall be taken to include reference to emails.N.I.

Textual Amendments

5.  In respect of claims for costs made under Table 2 of Part 2 of this Schedule, a solicitor may claim for mileage only at the rate of 35.7p per mile. No claim shall be entertained for travel and waiting time.N.I.

Textual Amendments

6.  In respect of claims for costs made under Table 5 of Part 2 of this Schedule, no claim shall be entertained for waiting time.N.I.

Textual Amendments

7.  In respect of claims for costs made under Table 7 of Part 2 of this Schedule, travel time may be claimed by solicitors at the rate of £24.25 per hour and no claim shall be entertained for waiting time.N.I.

Textual Amendments

8.  In respect of claims for costs made under Tables 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10 in Part 3 of this Schedule, travel time may be claimed by solicitors at the rate of £24.25 per hour.N.I.

Textual Amendments

9.  In respect of claims for costs made under Tables 3 and 5 only in Part 3 of this Schedule, waiting time may be claimed by solicitors at the rate of £24.25 per hour. No other claims for waiting time by solicitors shall be entertained for proceedings in Part 3 of this Schedule.N.I.

Textual Amendments

10.  In respect of claims for costs made under Table 7 in Part 3 of this Schedule, a solicitor may claim for mileage only at the rate of 35.7p per mile. No claim shall be entertained for travel and waiting time.N.I.

Textual Amendments

11.  Unless otherwise prescribed by this Schedule, travel and waiting time, where payable may be claimed by solicitors at the rate of £29.25 per hour and mileage, where payable may be claimed at the rate of 35.7p per mile for proceedings falling within this Schedule.N.I.

Textual Amendments

12.  Unless otherwise prescribed by this Schedule, travel time, where payable may be claimed by authorised counsel at the rate of £12 per hour and mileage, where payable may be claimed at the rate of 35.7p per mile for proceedings falling within this Schedule.N.I.

Textual Amendments

13.  For the proceedings listed in Part 2 of this Schedule, any claim by a solicitor for travelling and mileage to attend Court shall be from the solicitor’s office to which the certificate relates. Any claim by Counsel for travelling and mileage to attend Court shall be from the Bar Library, 91 Chichester Street Belfast BT1 3JQ.N.I.

Textual Amendments

14.  For the proceedings listed in Part 3 of this Schedule, any claim by a solicitor for travelling and mileage to attend Court, Tribunal or hearing venue as applicable shall be from the solicitor’s office to which the certificate relates. Any claim by Counsel for travelling and mileage to attend Court, Tribunal or hearing venue shall be from the Bar Library, 91 Chichester Street Belfast BT1 3JQ.]N.I.

Textual Amendments

PART 2N.I.Family and Children Order Proceedings

Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 M2 [F12or Article 31B of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989] N.I.

Solicitor's remuneration can be claimed on the basis of either Hourly Rates (Table 1) or Composite Fees (Table 2), at the election of the solicitor

Table 1:
Solicitor – Hourly Rates
Work TypeRate
[F13Consultation (other than with Counsel) and Preparation]£58 per hour
Letters Written£3.65 per item
Letters Received£1.85 per item
Telephone Calls£3.65 per call
Non Standard Telephone Call (over 5 minutes)£58 per hour
Advocacy – Solicitor Alone£64 per hour
Consultation with Counsel£32.50 per hour
Advocacy – Solicitor attending Counsel£32.50 per hour
Table 2:
Solicitor – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
Private Law£250
Public Law£400
Table 3:
Counsel – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
On an unopposed application or a procedural issue

Standard £76.25

Maximum £127

On the trial of a cause or matter, or the hearing of an application:
-Where the hearing lasts for up to half a day

Standard £140

Maximum £268

- Full Day

Standard £317.75

Maximum £508.50

-Refresher£140 for each additional day
[F14Consultation and Preparation]£35.50 per hour
Complex items of work (opinion, affidavits)£82.75 per item
All other written work£50.25 per item

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

The Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 M3N.I.

Solicitor's remuneration can be claimed on the basis of either Hourly Rates (Table 4) or Composite Fees (Table 5), at the election of the solicitor

Table 4:
Solicitor – Hourly Rates
Work TypeRate
[F15Consultation (other than with Counsel) and Preparation]£58 per hour
Letters Written£3.65 per item
Letters Received£1.85 per item
Telephone Calls£3.65 per call
Non Standard Telephone Call (over 5 minutes)£58 per hour
Advocacy – Solicitor Alone£64 per hour
Consultation with Counsel£32.50 per hour
Advocacy – Solicitor attending Counsel£32.50 per hour
Table 5:
Solicitor – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
Non-Molestation Order£352
Occupation Order£352
Non-Molestation/Occupation application withdrawn with undertakings£352
Non-Molestation and Occupation Order£416
Second Hearing – Contested£192
Second Hearing – Uncontested£96
Variation/Discharges – Contested£352
Variation/Discharges – Uncontested£192
Adjournments£30
Nominal Adjournment Fee – no court attendance£15
Withdrawn£30
Summons not served£30
Letters Written£3.65 per item
Letters Received£1.85 per item
Telephone Calls£3.65 per call
Non-routine telephone calls in excess of 5 minutes£58 per hour
Table 6:
Counsel – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
On an unopposed application or a procedural issue

Standard £76.25

Maximum £127

On the trial of a cause or matter, or the hearing of an application:
- Where the hearing lasts for up to half a day

Standard £140

Maximum £268

- Full Day

Standard £317.75

Maximum £508.50

- Refresher£140 for each additional day
[F16Consultation and Preparation]£35.50 per hour
Complex items of work (opinion, affidavits)£82.75 per item
All other written work£50.25 per item

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

Domestic Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1980

M4Table 7:
Solicitor – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
Separation and Maintenance£140
Variation of Maintenance£83.50
Case withdrawn at any stage before hearing and up to strikeout£66
Part Hearings£29
Adjourned Hearings:
- less than 20 minutes£15.50
- in excess of 20 minutes£29
Nominal Adjournment Fee – no court attendance£12
Dismissed Cases£124.50
Letters and telephone calls (not included in the basic fee)£3.35 per item
Discontinued cases (no proceedings issued)
- advice less than one hour£45
- advice of one hour£50
- advice in excess of one hour£55
Table 8:
Counsel – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
On an unopposed application or a procedural issue

Standard £76.25

Maximum £127

On the trial of a cause or matter, or the hearing of an application:
- Where the hearing lasts for up to half a day

Standard £140

Maximum £268

- Full Day

Standard £317.75

Maximum £508.50

- Refresher£140 for each additional day
[F17Consultation and Preparation]£35.50 per hour
Complex items of work (opinions, affidavits)£82.50 per hour
All other written work£50.25 per item

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

PART 3N.I.Other Proceedings

Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989M5 and Terrorism Act 2000

M6Table 1:
Solicitor – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
All Proceedings£352

Marginal Citations

Proceedings before the Mental Health Review Tribunal

Table 2:
Solicitor – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
Preparation and Negotiation£330
Representation at Tribunal£370 (per half day, or part thereof)
Adjourned Hearing£76.25

Hearings held under Article 10 or 11 of the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001

M7Table 3:
Solicitor – Hourly Rate

1 If additional hours are authorised by the Department, they are payable at the same rate.

Work TypeSolicitor
Hourly fees for all work£100 per hour up to a maximum fee of £8001
Table 4:
Counsel – Composite Fees
Work TypeJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Composite fee£2,666£4,000

Marginal Citations

Other hearings before the Parole Commissioners

Table 5:
Solicitor – Hourly Rate

1 If additional hours are authorised by the Department, they are payable at the same rate.

Work TypeSolicitor
Hourly fees for all work£100 per hour up to a maximum fee of £8001
Table 6:
Counsel – Composite Fees
Work TypeJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Composite Fee£3,000£4,500

Oral hearing before the Parole Commissioners under the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008

M8Table 7:
Solicitor – Composite Fee
Work Type – Stage 2Composite Fee
All case types£250

Marginal Citations

Proceedings under sections 295, 297, 298, 301 or 302 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Table 8:
Solicitor – Composite Fees

1 The Composite Fee will remunerate a solicitor for all work associated with the particular case, excluding disbursements and VAT. The fee is taken to include up to the first 7 letters and telephone calls under 5 minutes. Any further letters or telephone calls can be claimed in addition to the composite fee provided they are itemised.

Work TypeComposite Fee
Composite Fee£3521
Second Hearing£192
Adjournment£30
Nominal Adjournment Fee – no court attendance£15.50
Withdrawn£30
Letters and telephone calls£3.65 per item / call
[F18Non routine telephone calls (over 5 minutes)]£58 per hour
Table 9:
Counsel – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
On the trial of a cause or matter, or the hearing of an application
– Where the hearing lasts for up to half a day

Standard £140

Maximum £268

– Full Day

Standard £317.75

Maximum £508.50

Part Hearing (standard)£76.25
Part Hearing (maximum)£127
Refresher£140 for each additional day
[F19Consultation and Preparation]£35.50 per hour
Complex items of work (opinions, affidavit)£82.75 per item
All other written work£50.25 per item

Textual Amendments

Proceedings regarding an order under sections 89, 90, 97, 100, 104, 108, 109, 114, 118, 123, 125 or 126 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003M9 and Proceedings under Articles 3 and 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour (Northern Ireland) Order 2004[F20Proceedings before the Care Tribunal under Article 11, 12, 42 or 43 of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 or regulation 10 of the Education (Prohibition from Teaching or Working with Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 Proceedings under Part 13A of the Prison and Young Offenders Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995][F21Proceedings under paragraph 2, 6 or 7 of Schedule 3 to the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 Proceedings under section 57, 60 or 61 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015]

M10Table 10:
Interim Fees
Proceedings TypeSolicitorJunior Counsel
All proceedings£180£180

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

Article 9

SCHEDULE 4N.I.REPRESENTATION (HIGHER COURTS)

PART 1N.I.General

1.  This Schedule applies to the determination of the remuneration payable to representatives for providing representation (higher courts).N.I.

2.  The Department shall determine the claim submitted under Article 8 in accordance with the rates or fees set out in the relevant Table in Parts 2 to 6 of this Schedule, as applicable, and pay the assessed remuneration to the [F22representative] .N.I.

Textual Amendments

3.  For proceedings listed within Part 2 of this Schedule, where a representative considers that the sum allowable under Table 1 or Table 2, as applicable, would not provide reasonable remuneration according to the work reasonably undertaken and properly done, the representative may apply to the judge before whom the proceedings took place for a certificate that for any reason including the exceptional length, difficulty or complexity of the proceedings the limitation on the sums allowable under Table 1 or Table 2, as applicable, shall not apply and where such certificate is granted the Department shall allow remuneration under Table 3 to 19, as applicable.N.I.

4.  Where a judge has granted a certificate under paragraph 3, and there is a combination of proceedings heard together, the highest applicable composite fee will be payable with an additional payment of 30% of the composite fee in respect of the first related proceedings and an additional payment of 20% of the composite fee in respect of the second related proceedings.N.I.

5.  For proceedings listed within Part 3 of this Schedule, where the costs have been taxed by a district judge, the Department will pay remuneration to the solicitor on foot of the taxed bill. If the proceedings are withdrawn, abandoned or discontinued the representative's claim will be assessed by the Department in accordance with Tables 1 to 4, as applicable.N.I.

6.  For proceedings listed within Parts 4, 5 and 6 of this Schedule, the sums allowed to representatives in any proceedings shall, subject to Article 5(2)(a) and (b), be assessed by the Department in accordance with the Tables set out in the relevant Part, as applicable to the nature of the proceedings and the items of work in question.N.I.

[F237.  In this Schedule, any reference to “Letters” or “letters” shall be taken to include reference to emails.N.I.

Textual Amendments

8.  For the proceedings listed in Part 2 of this Schedule, any claim by a solicitor for travelling and mileage to attend Court shall be from the solicitor’s office to which the certificate relates. Any claim by Counsel for travelling and mileage to attend Court shall be from the Bar Library, 91 Chichester Street Belfast BT1 3JQ.N.I.

Textual Amendments

9.  For proceedings falling to be remunerated under Tables 3 to 11 of Part 2 of this Schedule, no claims for waiting time shall be entertained.N.I.

Textual Amendments

10.  For proceedings falling within Table 1 of Part 3, no claim for mileage shall be entertained. Any claim by a solicitor for travelling to attend Court shall be from the solicitor’s office to which the certificate relates.N.I.

Textual Amendments

11.—(1) For proceedings listed within Tables 2, 3 and 4 of Part 3 of this Schedule and proceedings listed within Part 4 of this Schedule, travel may be claimed as follows and claims shall not be entertained for mileage or waiting—N.I.

(a)Counsel travelling to attend a court─

(i)20 to 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £23;

(ii)More than 50 miles from the Head Post Office, Belfast, is entitled to an additional sum of £46.

(b)Solicitor travelling to attend a court─

(i)20 to 50 miles from the solicitor’s office, or where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £23;

(ii)More than 50 miles from the solicitor’s office, or where the solicitor’s firm practises from more than one office, from the office which dealt with the proceedings is entitled to an additional sum of £46.

(2) Where a solicitor or counsel has conducted more than one case in the same day at the same venue, the fee set out in sub-paragraph (1) may be claimed once only and the fee shall be divided proportionately over the number of cases conducted by the solicitor or counsel.

Textual Amendments

12.  In any proceedings listed in Part 5 of this Schedule to which travel and mileage are payable, any claim by a solicitor for travelling and mileage to attend Court shall be from the solicitor’s office to which the certificate relates and any claim by Counsel for travelling and mileage to attend Court shall be from the Bar Library, 91 Chichester Street Belfast BT1 3JQ.N.I.

Textual Amendments

13.  In respect of claims for costs made under Table 1 of Part 5 of this Schedule, travel may be claimed by solicitor only from the solicitor’s office to which the certificate relates at the rate of £15 per hour and mileage at the rate of 35.7p per mile. No claim shall be entertained for waiting time.N.I.

Textual Amendments

14.  In respect of any claim for costs made under Table 2 of Part 5 of this Schedule, no claim for travelling or waiting time or mileage shall be entertained.N.I.

Textual Amendments

15.  In respect of any claim for costs made under Table 3 of Part 5 of this Schedule, no claim for mileage shall be entertainedN.I.

Textual Amendments

16.  For the proceedings listed in Part 6 of this Schedule, a solicitor may claim for mileage only from the solicitor’s office to which the certificate relates at the rate of 35.7p per mile. No claim shall be entertained for travel and waiting time.N.I.

Textual Amendments

17.  Unless otherwise prescribed by this Schedule, travel and waiting time where payable, may be claimed by solicitors at the rate of £29.25 per hour and mileage where payable may be claimed at the rate of 35.7p per mile for proceedings falling within this Schedule.N.I.

Textual Amendments

18.  Unless otherwise prescribed by this Schedule, travel time where payable may be claimed by authorised counsel at the rate of £12 per hour and mileage where payable may be claimed at the rate of 35.7p per mile for proceedings falling within this Schedule.]N.I.

Textual Amendments

PART 2N.I.Family and Children Order Proceedings – Family Care Centre

[F24All proceedings including appeals from the Family Proceedings Court and Domestic Proceedings Court]

Table 1:
Solicitor – Hourly Rates
Work TypeRate
Preparation£58 per hour
Letters Written£3.65 per item
Letters Received£1.85 per item
Telephone Calls£3.65 per call
Non Standard Telephone Call (over 5 minutes)£58 per hour
Advocacy – Solicitor Alone£64 per hour
Consultation with Counsel£32.50 per hour
Advocacy – Solicitor with Counsel£32.50 per hour
Table 2:
Counsel – Composite Fees
Work TypeComposite Fee
On an unopposed application or a procedural issue

Standard £76.25

Maximum £127

On the trial of a cause or matter, or the hearing of an application:
- Where the hearing lasts for up to half a day

Standard £140

Maximum £268

- Full Day

Standard £317.75

Maximum £508.50

- Refresher£140 for each additional day
[F25Consultation and Preparation]£35.50 per hour
Complex items of work (opinions, affidavits)£82.75 per item
All other written work£50.25 per item
Table 3:
Children Order – Proceedings under Articles 44 and 50
Work TypeSolicitor's Composite Fee
Composite Fee£3,500
Additional Full Day£400
Additional Half Day£200
Judgment Fee£150
[F2635% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£1,225
[F2720% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (at first directions hearing)]£700
Table 4:
Children Order – All Other Proceedings
Work TypeSolicitor's Composite Fee
Composite Fee£2,000
Additional Full Day£400
Additional Half Day£200
Judgment Fee£150
[F2635% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£700
[F2720% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (at first directions hearing)]£400
Table 5:
Children Order – Appeals from the Family Proceedings Court – Proceedings under Articles 44 and 50
Work TypeSolicitor's Composite Fee
Composite Fee£1,400
Additional Full Day£400
Additional Half Day£200
Judgment Fee£150
[F2635% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£490
[F2720% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (at first directions hearing)]£280
Table 6:
[F28Appeals from the Family Proceedings Court and Domestic Proceedings Court – Re Other Proceedings]
Work TypeSolicitor's Composite Fee
Composite fee£800
Additional Full Day£400
Additional Half Day£200
Judgment Fee£150
[F2635% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£280
[F2720% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (at first directions hearing)]£160
Table 7:
Proceedings under Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 M11 – Freeing Order
Work TypeSolicitor's Composite Fee
Composite Fee£3,500
Additional Full Day£400
Additional Half Day£200
Judgment Fee£150
[F2635% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£1,225
[F2720% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (at first directions hearing)]£700
Table 8:
Combined Proceedings – Freeing Order and Article 50
Work TypeSolicitor's Composite Fee
Composite Fee£5,000
Additional Full day£400
Additional Half Day£200
Judgment Fee£150
[F2635% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£1,750
[F2720% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (at first directions hearing)]£1,000
Table 9:
Adoption Order – Contested
Work TypeSolicitor's Composite Fee
Composite Fee£3,500
Additional Full Day£400
Additional Half Day£200
Judgment Fee£150
[F2635% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£1,225
[F2720% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (at first directions hearing)]£700
Table 10:
Adoption Order – Uncontested
Work TypeSolicitor's Composite Fee
Composite Fee£400
Additional Full Day£400
Additional Half Day£200
Judgment Fee£150
[F2635% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£140
[F2720% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (at first directions hearing)]£80
Table 11:
Proceedings under Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 M12 –Non-Molestation / Occupation Order
Work TypeSolicitor's Composite Fee
Composite Fee£528
Additional Full Day£400
Additional Half day£200
Judgment Fee£150
[F2635% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£184.80
[F2720% of Composite Fee – Case Withdrawn or Transferred (at first directions hearing)]£105.60
Table 12:
Children Order – All Proceedings
Item of WorkJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Brief Fee£2,000£3,000
Directions and Written Work£780£1,170
Refresher – Full Day£400£600
Refresher – Half Day£200£300
Judgment Fee£150£225
[F2935% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£700£1,050
[F3020% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred ( at first directions hearing)]£400£600
Table 13:
[F31Appeals from the Family Proceedings Court and Domestic Proceedings Court – No New Evidence]
Item of WorkJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Brief Fee£800£1,200
Directions and Written Work£195£292.50
Refresher – Full Day£400£600
Refresher – Half Day£200£300
Judgment Fee£150£225
[F2935% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£280£420
[F3020% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred ( at first directions hearing)]£160£240
Table 14:
[F32Appeals from the Family Proceedings Court and Domestic Proceedings Court – New Evidence]
Item of WorkJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Brief Fee£1,500£2,250
Directions and Written work£312£468
Refresher – Full Day£400£600
Refresher – Half Day£200£300
Judgment Fee£150£225
[F2935% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£525£787.50
[F3020% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred ( at first directions hearing)]£300£450
Table 15:
Proceedings under Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 M13 – Freeing Order
Item of WorkJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Brief Fee£2,500£3,750
Directions and Written Work£780£1,170
Refresher – Full Day£400£600
Refresher – Half Day£200£300
Judgment Fee£150£225
[F2935% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£875£1,312.50
[F3020% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred ( at first directions hearing)]£500£750
Table 16:
Combined Proceedings – Freeing Order and Article 50
Item of WorkJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Brief Fee£3,520£5,280
Directions and Written Work£1,170£1,755
Refresher – Full Day£400£600
Refresher – Half Day£200£300
Judgment Fee£200£300
[F2935% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£1,232£1,848
[F3020% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred ( at first directions hearing)]£7041,056
Table 17:
Adoption Order – Contested
Item of WorkJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Brief Fee£2,500£3,750
Directions and Written Work£780£1,170
Refresher – Full Day£400£600
Refresher – Half Day£200£300
Judgment Fee£150£225
[F2935% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£875£1,312.50
[F3020% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred ( at first directions hearing)]£500£750
Table 18:
Adoption Order – Uncontested
Item of WorkJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Brief Fee£1,150£1,725
Directions and Written Work£312£468
Refresher – Full Day£400£600
Refresher – Half Day£200£300
Judgment Fee£150£225
[F2935% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£402.50£603.75
[F3020% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred ( at first directions hearing)]£230£345
Table 19:
Proceedings under Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 M14 –Non-Molestation / Occupation Order
Item of WorkJunior CounselSenior Counsel
Brief Fee£1,500£2,250
Directions and Written Work£780£1,170
Refresher – Full Day£400£600
Refresher – Half Day£200£300
Judgment Fee£150£225
[F2935% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred (following first directions hearing but before a final hearing date is set)]£525£787.50
[F3020% Brief Fee ─ Case Withdrawn or Transferred ( at first directions hearing)]£300£450

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

PART 3N.I.Divorce and other Family Proceedings in the County Court

[F33Table 1:

Divorce, Nullity and other Matrimonial Suits – Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (Withdrawn/Abandoned/ Discontinued Proceedings) – Solicitor

Work TypeRate
Consultation, Preparation, Travel and Waiting£30 per hour
Letters and Telephone Calls£3.35 per item
Non Standard telephone call (over 5 minutes)£30 per hour]

Textual Amendments

Table 2:

Committal Proceedings

1 Where a case is withdrawn before a hearing date has been set, a time-based assessment of work carried out will be undertaken for the solicitor. Hourly rates – £30, letters and telephone calls – [F34£3.35 per item, non-standard telephone calls (over 5 minutes)- £30 per hour] .

2 For each day or part of a day on which a hearing is continued after the first day, both solicitor and counsel in attendance are entitled to an additional sum equivalent to one third of counsel's fee.

Work Type1SolicitorCounsel
Composite Fee2£601£222
Case withdrawn on morning of hearing25% deduction applied25% deduction applied

Textual Amendments

Table 3:

Adoption Proceedings

1 An uplift of 50% on the basic fee will be payable to both Solicitor and Junior Counsel for each additional child involved with the same proceedings.

Work TypeSolicitorCounsel
Standard Fee1£193.50£129
Adjournments£51.60£32.25

Table 4:

Appeals from the Family Proceedings Court

Work TypeSolicitorCounsel
Standard Fee – irrespective of Full or Half day£422£110
Case withdrawn at hearing£347£110
Case withdrawn prior to hearing£211£55
Adjournments£51.50£34

PART 4N.I.Other Proceedings in the County Court

Table 1:

Ordinary Civil Bill Scales – Plaintiff's and Defendant's Remuneration

Department's assessment of value of the claimSolicitorCounsel
Does not exceed £1,000£538£180
Exceeds £1,000 but does not exceed £2,500
£1,136£263
Exceeds £2,500 but does not exceed £5,000
£1,614£383
Exceeds £5,000 but does not exceed £7,500
£2,092£478
Exceeds £7,500 but does not exceed £10,000
£2,391£562
Exceeds £10,000 but does not exceed £12,500
£2,630£640
Exceeds £12,500 but does not exceed £15,000
£2,869£718
Exceeds £15,000 but does not exceed £20,000
£3,876£842
Exceeds £20,000 but does not exceed £25,000
£4,253£953
Exceeds £25,000 but does not exceed £30,000
£4,692£1,060
Drafting notice for, or replies to notice for, particulars – payable to either the solicitor or counsel£43
Drafting interrogatories, or answers to interrogatories, as certified by the judge
£70£70
Additional Days50% of solicitor's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate, not exceeding £60050% of counsel's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate

Table 2:

Equity Civil Bill Scales – Plaintiff's and Defendant's Remuneration

Where value of the personalty and / or landsSolicitor's FeeCounsel's Fee – for advising proceedings/defence, settling the equity civil bill and advising proofsCounsel's Fee – on hearing of equity civil bill or petition
Does not exceed £5,000
£538£92£267
Exceeds £5,000 but does not exceed £10,000
£1,136£124£342
Exceeds £10,000 but does not exceed £15,000
£1,614£152£458
Exceeds £15,000 but does not exceed £20,000
£2,092£200£534
Exceeds £20,000 but does not exceed £25,000
£2,391£230£612
Exceeds £25,000 but does not exceed £35,000
£2,630£301£763
Exceeds £35,000 but does not exceed £45,000
£2,869£369£917
Additional Days50% of solicitor's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate, not exceeding £600N/A50% of counsel's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate

Table 3:

Ejectment proceedings for the Recovery of property – Plaintiff's and Defendant's Remuneration

Item of WorkSolicitorCounsel
Proceedings for the recovery of possession of premises by a statutory body£132£64
In other cases, where valuation does not exceed £4,060£321£123
In other cases, where valuation exceeds £4,060£458£230
Additional days50% of solicitor's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate, not exceeding £60050% of counsel's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate

Table 4:

Plaintiff's Remuneration in Remitted Actions

Amount decreed (or value of case as assessed by Department)SolicitorCounsel
Does not exceed £1,000£538£180
Exceeds £1,000 but does not exceed £2,500
£1,136£263
Exceeds £2,500 but does not exceed £5,000
£1,614£383
Exceeds £5,000 but does not exceed £7,500
£2,092£478
Exceeds £7,500 but does not exceed £10,000
£2,391£562
Exceeds £10,000 but does not exceed £12,500
£2,630£640
Exceeds £12,500 but does not exceed £15,000
£2,869£718
Exceeds £15,000 but does not exceed £20,000
£3,876£842
Exceeds £20,000 but does not exceed £25,000
£4,253£953
Exceeds 25,000 but does not exceed £30,000
£4,692£1,060
Drafting notice for, or replies to notice for, particulars –payable to either the solicitor or counsel£43
Drafting interrogatories, or answers to interrogatories, as certified by the judge
£70£70
Additional Days50% of solicitor's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate, not exceeding £60050% of counsel's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate

Table 5:

Defendant's Remuneration in Remitted Actions

Item of WorkSolicitorCounsel
Fee Payable£2869£718
Drafting notice for, or replies to notice for, particulars –payable to either the solicitor or counsel, as certified by the judge£43
Additional Days50% of solicitor's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate, not exceeding £60050% of counsel's scale fee on the amount claimed or decreed, as appropriate

Table 6:

Interlocutory Applications

Item of WorkSolicitor>Counsel
Instruction, drawing Notice of Motion etc.£118.56£118.56
Attending before Judge on notice or ex-parte£59.28£59.28
Drawing up list of documents under Order 15£42.07£42.07

Table 7:

Occasional Costs

Item of WorkRate
Affidavit of Service£2.72
Other Affidavit£1.12
Preparing Recognizance£3.12
Drawing, issuing and serving a witness summons£9.10
Drawing costs and copies£6.74 per page
Attending taxation£11.39 per hour

Table 8:

Limited Certificates

Item of WorkSolicitorCounsel
Counsel's Opinion£75£30
- up to 5 pages£75£50
- up to 7 pages£75£65
Engineer's Report£100N/A
Engineer's Report (no details provided)£75N/A
Medical Report£50N/A
Issue and service of Civil Bill, Replies and Discovery£200N/A
Stamp Duty£50N/A
Stamp Duty with other limitation£100N/A
Discovery£50N/A

[F35Table 9:

Proceedings which have been withdrawn, abandoned or discontinued -Full certificates Solicitor

Work TypeRate
Consultation, Preparation, Waiting and Attending Court£30 per hour
Letters and Telephone Calls£3.35 per item
Non Standard telephone call (over 5 minutes)£30 per hour]

Textual Amendments

PART 5N.I.High Court Proceedings

F36...

Table 1:
[F37High Court Bail Applications and Variation Applications – Standard Fees]
SolicitorCounsel
£180£180

Textual Amendments

Proceedings which have been withdrawn, abandoned or discontinuedN.I.

Solicitor's remuneration can be claimed on the basis of either Composite Fees (Table 2), or Hourly Rates (Table 3), at the election of the solicitor

Table 2:
Solicitor – Composite Fees
Department's assessment of value of the claimAfter WritAfter Statement of ClaimAfter DefenceAfter Warned ListWithin 21 Days of Trial
Does not exceed £14,999£2,515£3,165£3,565£4,230£4,885
£15,000 – £19,999£2,910£3,565£3,960£4,755£5,680
£20,000 – £24,999£3,435£4,090£4,485£5,012£6,075
£25,000 – £29,999£3,690£4,360£4,755£5,410£6,470
£30,000 – £34,999£3,960£4,620£5,155£5,805£6,870
£35,000 – £39,999£4,230£4,885£5,410£6,205£7,260
£40,000 – £44,999£4,485£5,155£5,805£6,600£7,655
£45,000 – £49,999£4,720£5,410£6,205£7,000£8,050
£50,000 – £54,999£5,015£5,680£6,600£7,395£8,450
£55,000 – £59,999£5,280£5,940£7,000£7,795£8,845
£60,000 – £64,999£5,550£6,205£7,395£8,190£9,245
£65,000 – £69,999£5,805£6,470£7,795£8,580£9,640
£70,000 – £74,999£6,075£6,730£8,190£8,975£10,035
£75,000 – £79,999£6,330£6,985£8,580£9,370£10,435
£80,000 – £84,999£6,600£7,290£8,975£9,770£10,830
£85,000 – £89,999£6,870£7,525£9,370£10,165£11,220
£90,000 – £94,999£7,130£7,795£9,770£10,560£11,615
£95,000 – £99,999£7,395£8,050£10,165£10,960£12,010
[F38Table 3:
Solicitor – Hourly Rates
Item of WorkRate
Consultation, Preparation, Travel and Waiting£94 per hour
Letters and Telephone Calls£9.40 per item
Non Standard telephone call (over 5 minutes)£94 per hour]

Textual Amendments

Counsel's Fees – Pleadings and Interlocutory Matters

Table 4:
Chancery Division
Item of Work
Writ£40
Statement of Claim£150
Defence£150
Defence and Counterclaim£175
Reply and Defence to Counterclaim£100
Reply£35
Table 5:
Originating Proceedings
Item of Work
Originating Summons or Notice of Motion£65
Brief on Hearing of Summons or Ex-parte application£100
Minute of Judgment£70
Motion for Judgment£125
Table 6:
Proceedings by Petition (not including divorce)
Item of Work
Petition or Answer£85
Other Pleadings£65
Brief on Hearing of Summons or Motion£100
Table 7:
Queen's Bench Division
Item of Work
Writ (generally endorsed)£35
Writ (specially endorsed)£75
Statement of Claim (all cases)£150
Defence£150
Defence with Particulars£80
Defence and Counterclaim£175
Reply and Defence to Counterclaim£100
Reply£30
Third Party Notice£75
Brief on Ex-parte Hearing£100
Brief on Hearing of Summons or Motion£100
Special Appointments Hearing in Motion Court£200
Table 8:
Family Division – Probate
Item of Work
Motion Paper£90
Motion£90
Writ£45
Brief on Ex-parte Hearing£100
Brief on Hearing of Summons or Motion£100
Statement of Claim or Defence£150
Defence and Counterclaim£175
Reply and Defence to Counterclaim£100
Reply£30
Table 9:
Bankruptcy
Item of Work
Examination of Witnesses£130
Table 10:
Judicial Review
Item of Work
Ex-parte docket£45
Order 53 Statement£90
Certificate of Urgency£30
Substantive Affidavit£125
Table 11:
Ancillary Relief
Item of Work
Summons£45
Affidavit of Means etc.£125
Table 12:
General

1 to include consultation (if any)

Item of Work

Affidavits (general)

(exceptional)

£60

£125

Notice of Motion / Summons£65
Notice for Particulars or Answer thereto£60
Notice to Admit to Facts£65
Replies to Notice to Admit Facts£75
Interrogatories and Answers£100
Proofs (Liability Admitted)1

Senior

or Junior

£250

£200

Proofs (Liability Denied)1

Senior

or Junior

£300

£250

Supplementary Advice, where necessary

Senior

or Junior

£230

£200

Opinions1

Liability and quantum

Liability only

Quantum only

Further

£200

£150

£150

£80

Notice of Appeal1£85
Consultation (including joint negotiations) up to one hour

Senior

Thereafter per half hour

£185

£80

Consultation (including joint negotiations) up to one hour

Junior (attending on senior)

Thereafter per half hour

Junior (without senior)

Thereafter per half hour

£125

£55

£150

£60

Appearance at Review/Application/Mention Hearing1
-less than 30 minutes

£100

(attended)

£125

(unattended)

£150

-up to 1 hour
Core Issues£125
Skeleton Argument£125

PART 6 N.I.Other Proceedings

Asylum and Immigration Proceedings before the First-Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal

Table 1:
Solicitor – Composite Fees
Item of Work Composite Fee
Representation at a Case Management Review Hearing for First-Tier Tribunal£175
First-Tier Tribunal (including first leave application)£1,200
Onward Appeal Hearing in Upper Tribunal (to include second leave application)£1,200
Adjourned hearings which are part-heard or re-listed to be concluded on a separate date£170 per day
Appeal withdrawn prior to the substantive hearing (20% of fee)£240
Appeal withdrawn on the day of the substantive hearing (35% of fee)£420
Asylum and Immigration Bail Hearing£400

Article 9

SCHEDULE 5N.I.INQUESTS

PART 1 N.I.General

1.  This Schedule applies to the determination of the remuneration payable to representatives for providing civil legal services in relation to inquests funded under Article 12A of the 2003 Order.N.I.

2.  The Department shall determine the claim submitted under Article 8 in accordance with the rates set out in the relevant Table in Part 2 of this Schedule and pay the assessed remuneration to the [F39representative] .N.I.

Textual Amendments

PART 2 N.I.Remuneration payable in Inquest cases

Table 1:

Solicitor's Fees

1 The rates for travel and mileage will be paid on an actuals basis.

Work Type ate
Preparation£79.50 per hour
Hearing (including any Preliminary Hearings)£63.38 per hour
Travelling time1£24.75 per hour
Mileage135.7p per mile

Table 2:

Counsel's Fees

1 The rates for travel and mileage will be paid on an actuals basis.

Work Type Junior Counsel Senior Counsel
Preparation£87.38 per hour£179.25 per hour
Hearing (including any Preliminary Hearings)£149.25 per hour£386.25 per hour
Refresher Fees – Full Day£236.50£400
Travelling time1£12 per hour£12 per hour
Mileage135.7p per mile35.7p per mile

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