Prescribed Fees

 

Advice & Assistance Schedule 3, Part II E(b) (i) & (ii)
ABWOR  

Schedule 3, Part I

 

5(b)(i) & (ii)
Legal Aid  

Schedule 1A, Part 1 – summary and solemn

 

6(a) & (b)

 For the purposes of this guidance a reference to “photocopying” includes “printing”.

A fee for photocopying is only payable where that work is actually and reasonably done and chargeable on a detailed basis.

When is a fee for photocopying chargeable?

A fee can only be paid where it is necessary to photocopy more than 20 (whether 20 of one sheet, five of four sheets or whatever) output copy sheets of a document.

There is no fee for photocopying:

  • where fewer than 20 sheets are copied at one time; or
  • in relation to the first 20 sheets copied at any one time.

We will not allow a fee for the photocopying of duplicated material where this arises as a result of oversight.

Where a fee is payable:

  • the higher copy rate is payable for the first 10,000 sheets which are actually chargeable in the case
  • the lower copy rate is then payable for any sheets in excess of 10,000 which are actually chargeable in the case.

What is a document?

Our approach is that a “document” includes all material received or lodged normally in a single batch from a single source.

For example:

  • an inventory of productions
  • an order granting commission and diligence or an order for the recovery of documents
  • medical records
  • social work records.

Where, say, an inventory contains multiple productions it is not necessary for each production to exceed 20 copies, it is the combined sheetage of the inventory which determines whether a charge for photocopying can be made.

For example:

Production 1 – 10 sheets

Production 2 – 11 sheets

Production 3 – 1 sheets

Production 4 – 3 sheets

Production 5 – 1 sheet

Production 6 – 1 sheet

As the inventory of productions totals 27 sheets, even if only one copy was required, a photocopying charge will be allowed for the total number of copies over and above the first 20 sheets. In this example, seven sheets if one copy was required.

It is not appropriate for a single charge to be made in the account for copying all documents in the case and any charges of this nature will be either disallowed, in full, or reduced to reflect a charge for the copying of documents over 20 sheets.

SLAB in-house copying service

Where you elect to use our free photocopying service (where the copying exceeds 10,000 sheets and the fees are chargeable on a detailed basis) no fee is chargeable for any photocopying which we undertake on your behalf.

External copying firms

Where an external copying firm is used, and you incur an outlay we will only allow payment based on the prescribed legal aid fee, or the outlay, whichever is most economical.

Where an external firm is used you must ensure that if multiple documents have been copied that you make the appropriate adjustment and discount the first 20 copies and/or disallow any document which is less than 20 sheets.

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