https://www.slab.org.uk/guidance/commitment-fee/
https://www.slab.org.uk/guidance/commitment-fee/
Paragraph 9 of the notes on the operation states:
“Paragraphs 10 and 11 apply where, in respect of any hearing, counsel claims a fee for keeping free from other commitments (“a commitment fee”), and regulation 9 shall apply subject to those paragraphs.”
A commitment fee is payable as work actually and reasonably done, due regard being had to economy, but only where all of the following conditions have been met.
A commitment fee is not payable in any other circumstances.
Paragraph 10(a) of the Notes on Operation states a commitment fee is allowable only where:
“counsel has accepted instructions to appear at a proof, debate or similar hearing assigned for eight days or more over consecutive weeks”
Your claim must demonstrate that you have accepted instructions to appear at a proof, debate or similar hearing assigned for eight days or more over consecutive weeks.
Where we are not satisfied we will disallow the claim and invite you to provide further information in support of the commitment fee.
Paragraph 10(b) of the Notes on Operation states a commitment fee is allowable only where:
“the proceedings settle on or before the first day of the hearing”.
Where the condition under paragraph 10(a) has been met, your claim must demonstrate that that the proceedings settled on or before the first day of the hearing.
Where we are not satisfied we will disallow the claim and invite you to provide further information in support of the commitment fee.
Paragraph 10(c) of the Notes on Operation states a commitment fee is allowable only where:
“counsel is notified that the hearing is not proceeding no more than two working days before the start of the hearing”
Where the conditions under paragraph 10(a) and (b) have been met your claim must demonstrate that you were notified that the hearing was not proceeding no more than two working days before the start of the hearing.
Where we are not satisfied we will disallow the claim and invite you to provide further information in support of the commitment fee.
Paragraph 10(d) of the Notes on Operation states a commitment fee is allowable only where:
“in the case of a hearing assigned for fewer than 12 days, counsel is not otherwise entitled to a fee for attendance at the first day of the hearing”.
Where the conditions under paragraph 10(a), (b) and (c) have been met, and the hearing is set down for fewer than 12 days, you are entitled to a commitment day where you are not entitled to charge an attendance on the first day of the hearing.
Where we are not satisfied, we will disallow the claim and invite you to provide further information in support of the commitment fee.
Where all four criteria have been met you are entitled to claim a commitment fee subject to the terms of paragraph 11.
Paragraph 11 of the notes on the operation states:
“Where a commitment fee is allowable the fee is payable at a unit rate equal to the daily rate applicable to the hearing to which it relates, as prescribed in the Tables of Fees”
Where a commitment fee is payable this is payable at the prescribed daily rate applicable to the hearing to which it relates.
Paragraph 11(a) of the notes on the operation states:
“Two units shall be payable in the case of a hearing assigned for 12 days or more where counsel is not otherwise entitled to a fee for attendance at the first day of the hearing”
You are entitled to two units at the prescribed daily rate applicable to the hearing to which it relates where your claim demonstrates that:
Paragraph 11(b) of the notes on the operation states:
“1 unit shall be payable in any other case”
You are entitled to one unit at the prescribed daily rate applicable to the hearing to which it relates where your claim demonstrates that:
or