Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Civil Legal Aid (General) Regulations 1989 (S.I. 1989/339).

Regulations 2 and 3 make amendments so that in cases other than where there is to be an assessment of costs payable by another party to the proceedings, the Area Director will carry out civil legal aid costs assessments where the total claim does not exceed £2,500. In other cases the courts will make the assessment.

Regulation 2 also makes an amendment to provide that where the Area Director makes an assessment, the costs allowed do not have to be the same as those which the courts would allow.

Regulation 4 removes the requirement of an appellant in an appeal against a cost assessment in a publicly funded case to notify the Lord Chancellor of the appeal.