https://www.slab.org.uk/guidance/fees-for-travel/
https://www.slab.org.uk/guidance/fees-for-travel/
Where certain criteria are met a supplementary fee may be payable for travel.
Chapter 6, paragraph 13
Time engaged in necessary travel – Supplementary fee chargeable in addition to any of the above fees where necessary travel is undertaken
In relation to Chapters 1-5 inclusive the fees prescribed in Chapter 6 apply so travel is payable in any case where the relevant criteria is met.
Paragraph 10
Time engaged in necessary travel – supplementary fee chargeable where necessary travel undertaken.
Paragraph 7
Time engaged in necessary travel – supplementary fee chargeable in addition to any of the above fees where necessary travel is undertaken.
Paragraph 7
Time engaged in necessary travel – supplementary fee chargeable in addition to any of the above fees where necessary travel undertaken.
Paragraph 14 of the notes on the operation states:
“The fee for time engaged in necessary travel specified in paragraph 13 of Chapter 6 of Part 1 and paragraph 7 of Part 2 of Table of Fees A and in paragraph 10 of Part 1 and paragraph 7 of Part 2 of Table of Fees B is chargeable only as follows…”
Where you charge travel we must be satisfied the terms of paragraph 14 has been met, and that it was reasonable for you to have travelled in order to undertake the corresponding work activity.
Paragraph 14(a) of the notes on the operation states:
“the travel undertaken must involve a round trip exceeding 60 miles in each direction”.
Unless travel exceeds a 120 mile round trip no fee is payable and we must disallow the claim.
Where you do not state the distance travelled, or the departure and arrival locations, which will allow us to establish the distance involved we must disallow the claim and invite you to confirm the distance that has been travelled.
Where travel exceeds 120 miles, and we are satisfied that travel was reasonably undertaken, we must pay this fee.
Where you take a more circuitous route than what is recommended by the online route planner we elect to use, we must be satisfied that this was reasonable in the particular circumstances of the case before we allow the fee.
For example, there may have been roadworks leading to extensive delays on the shorter route that would add sufficient time to the journey to satisfy you that the alternative route taken, although longer, was reasonable in the particular circumstances of the case.
Where it is unclear why a more circuitous route has been taken we must disallow the travel in full if the online route planner indicates that travel is less than 120 miles and invite you to provide further information in support of the claim. If the online route planner indicates travel should be less than the distance which has been claimed but this still exceeds 120 miles then we must pay the travel supplement claim.
Paragraph 14(b) of the notes on the operation states:
“counsel shall, if required, produce vouching of the travel undertaken”
This provides us with the authority to request vouching where this is necessary.
Paragraph 14(c) of the notes on the operation states:
“the fee is chargeable only once in respect of each round trip, irrespective of the number of cases for which the travel is undertaken”.
We may encounter a situation where you deal with a number of different cases on the same day where the travel undertaken exceeds 120 miles.
For example, where you travel from Edinburgh to Dundee to consult in one case and on to Aberdeen to consult in another case before returning to Edinburgh only one round trip (i.e. Edinburgh to Aberdeen return) is undertaken and therefore only one ‘supplementary fee’ for travel can be paid.
Where you travel for more than one case the ‘supplementary fee’ for travel should be apportioned across each case although if you charge to a single case that can be allowed as long as the assisted person(s) do not have any financial interest in the proceedings (e.g. contribution, clawback or expenses).
We are highly unlikely to receive all claims together and where we are unclear how you have charged for the travel we must disallow the claim and invite you to clarify the approach adopted in relation to the claim for travel.
This equally applies to any travel outlays chargeable across cases.
Where a supplementary fee for travel is chargeable an outlay in respect of reasonable travel costs may be payable.
Paragraph 15(1) of the notes on the operation states:
“Travel costs are chargeable as an outlay only in circumstances where a fee for time engaged in necessary travel is chargeable under paragraph 14”.
Where we are satisfied that the travel supplement is payable we may also allow reasonable travel costs as an outlay in addition to the fee payable.
Where you drive, mileage is payable in accordance with the recommended rates prescribed by HMRC at the time travel is undertaken.
Where you travel by train or air, fares are payable at standard rates only. If you elect to travel by first or business class you can, of course, elect to do so but we must reduce any part of the claim that exceeds the equivalent standard fare for the journey.
Paragraph 15(2) of the notes on the operation states:
“Counsel shall if required provide vouching of the costs incurred”
This gives us the authority to request vouching where this is necessary.
Where we are satisfied that the travel supplement is payable and you reasonably stay outwith the town or city where you are attending court (for example, as it was more economical to do so than staying centrally) we may allow reasonable travel costs for the return journey including travel to and from the accommodation.
Any necessary travel to and from court from the accommodation on days which fall between the outward and return journey can be allowed as part of the round trip.
For example, where the outward travel is 125 miles to court and after court there is a further 20 miles to your accommodation we may allow the full journey of 145 miles as part of the round trip.