Explanatory note

These Rules amend the existing rules governing the grant of legal aid under the Church of England (Legal Aid and Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 1988 and the taxation and assessment of costs in cases where legal aid has been granted under that Measure. In particular, they revoke the provisions exempting applicants for legal aid in cases under the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963 (1963 No. 1) from the need to show that they have reasonable grounds for taking, defending or being a party to the proceedings in question; the Rules also give the Legal Aid Commission power to carry out taxations of costs in such manner as they consider appropriate, and extend the circumstances in which costs may be assessed instead of being taxed.