The High Court of Justiciary Fees Order 2015

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes provision for the fees payable in the High Court of Justiciary, to the Principal Clerk of Justiciary or any other officer acting for the Principal Clerk.

Article 1 and Schedules 1 to 3 specify fee levels payable in the High Court of Justiciary in respect of certain matters.

• The fee levels for the period from 22nd September 2015 until 31st March 2016 are given effect by the Table of Fees in Schedule 1.

• The fee levels for the period from 1st April 2016 until 31st March 2017 are given effect by substituting the Table of Fees in Schedule 1 with the Table of Fees in Schedule 2.

• The fee levels from 1st April 2017 onwards are given effect by substituting the Table of Fees in Schedule 2 with the Table of Fees in Schedule 3.

Article 2(3) provides that fees are not to be payable by the Crown in the enforcement of the criminal law or in the exercise of powers or the performance of duties arising out of or relating to that enforcement.

Article 2(4) provides that the Principal Clerk of Justiciary or any other officer acting for the Principal Clerk is not required to do any act in connection with the matter specified in relation to that fee without either prior payment of the fee or entering into an arrangement for payment of the fee.

Article 3 exempts certain persons from payment of fees.

Article 4 introduces Schedule 4 which revokes the High Court of Justiciary Fees Order 1984 together with amending Orders and provisions.

A Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared for this Order and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies can be obtained from the Scottish Government Justice Directorate, St Andrews House, Edinburgh EH1 3DG.