Legal Aid Agency
You can prevent billing delays and possible recoveries of money by avoiding errors revealed in tests of provider payments.
Here are some of the most common errors picked up in monthly tests carried out by the Legal Aid Agency and validated by the National Audit Office:
Work claimed not covered by the certificate
Check your certificates cover work being claimed for and also that emergency certificates do not expire before substantive certificates start.
If a legal aid funding certificate is not in place then work should not be carried out or claimed for.
See: Costs Assessment Guidance 2013, Section 10
Courier fees not justified
Include justification for courier fees with your bill. Otherwise, courier fees cannot be claimed as disbursements.
See: Costs Assessment Guidance 2013, Section 2.2
Work not evidenced on file
Documentary evidence needs to be provided when requested. Claims are often made for letters and telephone calls for which there is no evidence.
See: Costs Assessment Guidance 2013, Section 1.26
Work claimed while show cause notice in place (under funding code)
Work should not be claimed for when a show cause notice is in place. A show cause notice puts an embargo on legal aid certificates until clients are able to show cause why it should not be revoked or discharged.No work can be claimed for during the period that the show cause is in place, even if it is later removed.
See: Funding code procedures C55.3
Administrative work claimed incorrectly
You can only claim for the direct provision of client services.
For example, on one file 48 minutes of work was claimed for reviewing the cost position on three separate occasions. This time is considered purely administrative.
See: Costs Assessment Guidance 2013, Section 2.1 2.3
Travel time and associated costs not fully justified
Travel expense claims should be based on journeys from the fee-earners office.
Claims exceeding the expected amount need to be justified on file and this will be considered on assessment.
Claims from home rather than the office will only be accepted if the travel was shorter or less expensive than from the office.
See: Costs Assessment Guidance 2013, Section 2.42 2.51
Disbursement vouchers not provided for expenses over 20
Receipts or invoices are required for disbursements of 20 or more (including VAT).
An explanatory note is needed on file if the nature of the disbursement, such as court fees and mileage, mean vouchers are not available.
See: Costs Assessment Guidance 2013, Section 3.1.
Further information
Legal aid guidance to download costs assessment guidance 2013 and the legal aid electronic handbook (see 1.4 Show Cause on page 13)