Explanatory note

the date after which certain work may be remunerated at discretionary instead of prescribed rates is altered from 30th June 1998 to 30th June 1999;

cases in which medical evidence is given under section 37(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983 are excluded from the graduated fees scheme;

the fixed fee for attendance at a pleas and directions hearing or pre-trial review is the same whether or not the person who attends is the advocate in the case, and the length of trial uplift to that fee is abolished;

an advocate remunerated under the graduated fees scheme is entitled to a fee for the time spent travelling to and from conferences with the legally assisted person, if that person could not reasonably have been expected to attend at the advocate’s office or chambers, and to the reasonable expenses of such travel.