Subscribers to LAPG‘s very useful update email will this week have seen a link to the LSC’s guideline rates (PDF) for experts, which were found by an LAPG committee member on an external website but do not appear to have ever appeared on the LSC website or been made publicly available by the LSC. Whilst they are guidelines not maximums, it is getting ever harder to persuade the LSC to depart from them on prior authority or assessment and therefore the fact that they are now publicly available is welcome, though it is regrettable that it was not apparently the LSC that made them available.
There is, however, some useful information about experts on the LSC website, including links to relevant LSC and civil, criminal and family procedure rules, as well as a helpful summary (PDF) of when expert fees are payable on legal aid and when from central funds.
LAPG is asking members to report problems with experts and particularly with the application of the guideline rates.
Update note – these rates don’t apply any more. For current expert rates, see the criminal and civil remuneration regulations, on our Resources page
Legal Aid Handbook 