3.—(1) This regulation applies to Very High Cost Cases where representation is provided under Part V of the Legal Aid Act 1988.
(2) A Very High Cost Case is a case with regard to which:
(a)if the case proceeds to trial, that trial would be likely to last for 25 days or longer; or
(b)the defence costs with regard to any one defendant (or group of defendants represented by the same firm of solicitors) are likely to amount to £150,000 or greater (such sum to include the solicitor’s costs and counsel’s fees and VAT).
(3) Any solicitor who has conduct of a case which is a Very High Cost Case shall notify the Legal Services Commission in writing accordingly as soon as is practicable.