Explanatory note

These Regulations further amend the Criminal Legal Aid (Scotland) (Fees) Regulations 1987 (“the principal Regulations”), principally so as to increase the fees allowable to solicitors for criminal legal aid by around 3 1/2% (regulations 4, 5 and 6).

They also amend the requirement on a solicitor to submit accounts to the Scottish Legal Aid Board within a given time of the date of conclusion of the proceedings in respect of which legal aid was granted, by increasing the time limit from 3 months to 6 months (regulation 2). They confirm for the avoidance of doubt that the duty solicitor may undertake specified preliminary pleas and pleas in bar of trial including mental health proofs (regulation 3).

The amendments are to take effect for proceedings concluded on or after 1st August 1988 (regulation 7).