(This note is not part of the Rules)
These Rules amend the Magistrates’ Courts and County Court Appeals (Criminal Legal Aid) (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009, which prescribe the remuneration for solicitors and counsel assigned under Article 28, 28A or 30 of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.
The Rules make provision for the payment of additional remuneration in exceptional cases. They provide for an application for a Certificate of Exceptionality in an individual case, where a representative is required to undertake additional preparation work because the case involves a point of law or factual issue that is very unusual or novel. The Rules prescribe hourly rates of payment for the additional work authorised by the Department of Justice.
The Rules come into operation on 1st December 2016.