Very High Cost Cases – Certification
16A. (1) The Commission may grant an application for a Very High Cost Case Certificate only if it is satisfied that both of the grounds referred to in rule 16(1) are met.
(2) Subject to paragraph (1), the Commission shall grant a Very High Cost Case Certificate to each representative on whose behalf the application was made.
(3) If it is not satisfied that both of the grounds referred to in rule 16(1) are met, the Commission shall refuse the application or, if it considers it appropriate to do so, it may defer its decision on the application.
(4) The Commission shall communicate its decision made under this rule, together with its reasons for refusing the application or deferring its decision, as applicable, in writing to the representative (or each representative, as applicable).
rule. 16-16C substituted for (with application in accordance with rule 3(1) of the amending Rule) by The Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/267), rules. 1, 7 (with rule. 4)