A live consultation is currently underway on proposed fee increases for Criminal Legal Aid work – and there is just over a week left to respond. If you haven’t already done so, we strongly urge you to read the details below and submit a response. Numbers matter.
What’s Being Proposed?
The proposed changes are expected to be broadly welcomed by the profession and include:
1. A fixed fee of £320 (excluding VAT) for all police station work
2. A 10% increase for work in the magistrates’ and youth courts
3. A 24% increase for prison law work
4. A fixed percentage structure (65:75:100) for guilty plea, cracked trial, and trial fees under the Litigator Graduated Fee Scheme (LGFS)
5. A 33–35% increase for the lowest paid offences (Bands E to I)
These changes amount to an estimated 12% average increase in fees for a typical criminal defence firm and are designed to stem the loss of duty solicitors from the profession.
⚠️ But There’s a Catch
While this is a welcome step, without annual inflation-linked increases, these gains will quickly erode. As we all know, static fees will soon lead firms back into the same precarious position outlined in Lord Bellamy’s November 2022 report.
You may also have views on whether:
1. These increases go far enough, and
2. The distribution of the increases is fair and effective.
A key message in any response should be the establishment of a permanent pay review mechanism – potentially via the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board – and automatic annual increases (at least in line with the Consumer Price Index) to protect the long-term sustainability of the profession.
Take Action
It only takes a few minutes to respond to the consultation. We strongly encourage all members to do so and to highlight the need for inflationary uplifts and long-term fee stability, in addition to any other points you wish to raise.
Criminal Legal Aid: Proposals for Solicitor Fee Scheme Reform – Ministry of Justice – Citizen Space
Thank you for taking the time to support your profession.