The Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005

Review

20.—(1) The Court Service shall keep the general operation of these Rules under review to ensure that they are consistent with the requirements of Article 37 of the Order.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1), the Court Service shall conduct a formal review of the levels of the prescribed fees and the rates of payment under the Rules at least once in every review period.

(3) Where the Court Service has conducted a review under this rule, it shall publish the result of the review –

(a) as soon as is reasonably practicable;

(b) in such form as it considers appropriate; and

(c) together with any proposals it may have with respect to the matters reviewed.

(4) When conducting a review under this rule, the Court Service shall have regard, among the matters which are relevant, to –

(a) any representations made by the Lord Chief Justice, the Law Society of Northern Ireland, the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and the Commission; and

(b) any other representations which it considers to be relevant.

(5) In paragraph (2) “review period” means the period of two years beginning with the commencement of these Rules and each subsequent period of two years.