*/
The Bar Council has put forward a redesigned Advocate’s Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS) to the Ministry of Justice to change the way criminal defence barristers are paid in Crown Court cases lasting up to 60 days.
The AGFS working group, made up of Bar representatives from every circuit at all levels of seniority, and the Criminal Bar Association, has been working for the last year to design a new scheme structure.
The proposals take into account changes in working practices since the scheme was last reviewed in 2007, in particular the increased use of technology. They are designed to make the fees fairer, but not to increase the Government spend on these cases.
They seek to abolish the number of pages of prosecution evidence as the principal determinant of the level of fee, and the number of witnesses as a determinant of the fee.
Instead they propose to restore separate payments for sentences, Plea and Case Management Hearings and other ancillary hearings, and daily payments tailored to reflect and reward the skill and experience of advocates across the categories and bands of cases.
The new scheme creates a single standard case category into which a significant number of basic cases will fall, and introduces a permanent mechanism for reviewing the operation of the scheme.
Chairman of the Bar, Alistair MacDonald QC, said: “The last substantial revision of the scheme was in 2007. Since then, there have been many changes, such as the increased use of electronic evidence; a new scheme is therefore required.”
The proposals, he said, are designed to reward “skill, experience and the level of responsibility” in each case.
He added: “The working group’s proposals are designed to operate within the Ministry of Justice’s existing AGFS budget. They reflect both the Bar’s and the Ministry of Justice’s shared objectives of ensuring quality, certainty and simplicity.”
Barristers wishing to comment on the draft scheme should email their observations to Adrian Vincent, Head of Policy, Remuneration and the Employed Bar, at AVincent@BarCouncil.org.uk.
The Bar Council has put forward a redesigned Advocate’s Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS) to the Ministry of Justice to change the way criminal defence barristers are paid in Crown Court cases lasting up to 60 days.
The AGFS working group, made up of Bar representatives from every circuit at all levels of seniority, and the Criminal Bar Association, has been working for the last year to design a new scheme structure.
The proposals take into account changes in working practices since the scheme was last reviewed in 2007, in particular the increased use of technology. They are designed to make the fees fairer, but not to increase the Government spend on these cases.
They seek to abolish the number of pages of prosecution evidence as the principal determinant of the level of fee, and the number of witnesses as a determinant of the fee.
Instead they propose to restore separate payments for sentences, Plea and Case Management Hearings and other ancillary hearings, and daily payments tailored to reflect and reward the skill and experience of advocates across the categories and bands of cases.
The new scheme creates a single standard case category into which a significant number of basic cases will fall, and introduces a permanent mechanism for reviewing the operation of the scheme.
Chairman of the Bar, Alistair MacDonald QC, said: “The last substantial revision of the scheme was in 2007. Since then, there have been many changes, such as the increased use of electronic evidence; a new scheme is therefore required.”
The proposals, he said, are designed to reward “skill, experience and the level of responsibility” in each case.
He added: “The working group’s proposals are designed to operate within the Ministry of Justice’s existing AGFS budget. They reflect both the Bar’s and the Ministry of Justice’s shared objectives of ensuring quality, certainty and simplicity.”
Barristers wishing to comment on the draft scheme should email their observations to Adrian Vincent, Head of Policy, Remuneration and the Employed Bar, at AVincent@BarCouncil.org.uk.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
Creating advocacy opportunities for juniors is now the expectation but not always easy to put into effect. Tom Mitcheson KC distils developing best practice from the Patents Court initiative already bearing fruit
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
The long-running fee-paid judicial pensions saga continues. The current cut-off date for giving notice of election to join FPJPS is 31 March 2024, and that date now gives rise to a serious problem, warns HH John Platt
