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Advocates now have new guidance to help submit claims for the 拢62 additional preparation work fee where the matter is a trial or cracked trial.

This 拢62 single fixed fee applies to cases with a representation order dated on or after 17 April 2023. Our guidance has now been updated to help you understand what to do when making a claim.

What is the 拢62 fee for?

The new single fee is for additional preparation work beyond what would normally be expected.

It is designed to recognise both the:

• work on preparation for ineffective trials
• increase of the scope and volume of written and audio-visual material work requirements

How do I claim the fixed fee?

You can claim the fixed fee using the Claim for Crown Court Defence (CCCD) online billing tool by:

• navigating to the 鈥榤iscellaneous fees鈥� or 鈥榤isc fees鈥� page in CCCD
• opening up the dropdown fee list
• selecting the 鈥榓dditional preparation fee鈥�
• completing the claim submission

CCCD will be updated with signposting to remind providers that this fee is available.

Advocates using software vendor supplied case management systems should contact them directly about how to request this fee during submissions.

We have already shared details of the changes to our applications with them. This is so that they can roll out any relevant updates to their case management systems.

Why is this happening now?

The new fixed fee:

• is part of the overall response to the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR)
• responds to representations about additional case preparation work made by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) and Bar Council in 2022

An additional 拢3m of funding has been made available during the current Spending Review period to make this possible.

Further information

鈥� for Crown court billing guidance

Crown Court fee guidance 鈥� updated guidance on 188体育, see page 39, new section 2.17A (first attachment)

鈥� for details of the new fixed fee