CRM4
If you wish to appeal the decision made on your CRM4 application,
email crm4appeal@justice.gov.uk.
Include the following information:
1. The Unique Submission Number (USN) of the application you are appealing.
2. Your detailed grounds of appeal explaining why you disagree with our decision.
If the application is inviting the LAA to depart from the hourly rate for the area of
expertise, as set out in the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013,
explain in detail why the experts’ evidence is key to the client’s case and either:
(a) the complexity of the material is such that an expert with a high level of
seniority is required; or
(b) the material is of such a specialised and unusual nature that only very few
experts are available to provide the necessary evidence.
3. All supporting documentation, which should generally include:
• the prosecution case summary
• any defence statement
• proof of evidence (if relevant)
• Counsel’s opinion as to why the expert is needed
• a copy of all quotes obtained
• a copy of any expert reports already obtained in the same or a related area of expertise for the same matter.
Note that:
• The LAA cannot grant more on appeal than you requested on your original application – so you must submit another CRM4 if you require further funding for future work.
• Funding cannot be granted on appeal for work already undertaken – see paragraph 5.31 of the 2022 Standard Crime Contract Specification (SCC).
• The LAA cannot edit or amend information on a CRM4 grant if, for example, you have entered the client’s name incorrectly – you would need to explain this upon billing, or submit a fresh CRM4 if the work has not been done yet.
• We consider each application on its own merit and previous decisions do not set a precedent.
CRM5
If you wish to appeal the decision made on your CRM5 application,
email crm5appeal@justice.gov.uk.
Include the following information:
• the USN of the relevant application
• detailed grounds of appeal, explaining why you disagree with our decision
• any supporting documentation, for example, Counsel’s advice
Note that:
• We are unable to grant more on appeal than you requested on your original application so you will need to submit another CRM5 if you require further funding for future work.
• Authority must be given to extend the limit before work is carried out so If you have exceeded the upper limit this cannot be appealed.
• Funding cannot be granted on appeal for work that has already been undertaken.
• We consider each application on its own merit and previous decisions do not set a precedent.
CRM7
If you wish to appeal our assessment of a CRM7 claim you can email
crm7appeal@justice.gov.uk.
You can also post your appeal to the address shown below.
Provide the following information:
• the original CRM7 (and CRM8 if applicable) and your file of papers
• the USN if the original claim was sent electronically
• a cover letter setting out the grounds for appeal and why you disagree with our
decision – addressing each point being appealed in turn, with reference to relevant parts of:
• the Standard Criminal Contract (SCC)
• the Criminal Bills Assessment Manual (CBAM)
• any other documents to support your appeal
Please note that we consider each claim on its merit and previous decisions do not set a precedent.
NOTE: We must receive full grounds for your appeal and the full file of papers within 28 days of the initial assessment.
If you require more time, email magsbilling@justice.gov.uk within 21 days of the assessment. We can only grant a further 14 days.
Please see paragraphs 8.20 & 8.21 of the 2022 Standard Crime Contract Specification.
If you wish to add an item that you omitted on the original claim, you must submit a supplemental claim together with a copy of the original claim. You can submit a paper CRM7 or use the online portal.
Send paper files to:
LAA Magistrates’ Billing Team 3rd floor B3.20, 1 Unity Square, Queensbridge Road, Nottingham NG2 1AW
or
LAA Magistrates’ Billing Team 3rd floor B3.20, DX 10035 Nottingham
Sending to an Independent Costs Assessor or Independent Funding
Adjudicator
If you wish to appeal to an Independent Costs Assessor (ICA) or Independent Financial Assessor (IFA), or your appeal has been referred to an ICA or IFA, please note that:
An appeal to an ICA is the separate and final stage of the appeals process: CBAM
4.4.1.
Once the ICA has made a decision, there is no further right of appeal: CBAM 4.4.9.
You must provide all relevant documentation at the time of submission rather than after the Costs Assessor has considered the appeal otherwise it cannot be further considered by the same or a different Costs Assessor.
The ICA has 5 working days to provide a decision on CRM4s and 14 days for CRM7s and CRM8s.
CRM5 appeals are sent to IFAs who have 5 working days to return a decision: SCC 5.16.