Colin Wells was called to the Bar in 1987, and specialises in Fraud cases, abuse of process applications, and criminal costs matters. He is considered “the go-to person” in abuse of process matters. He has produced multiple publications and often presents at seminars and conferences.

In this useful presentation, Colin outlines the processes behind legal aid costs billing, highlighting potential hurdles to being paid properly. He explains how to get the best out of Pages of Prosecution Evidence (PPE), highlighting 3 steps. He emphasises the importance of the content and relevance of PPE when deciding whether or not remuneration is appropriate. He highlights a wealth of relevant case law throughout.

Key words/topics

Pages of Prosecution Evidence

Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 S.I. No 435

Re-determination

Appeals to a Costs Judge

Appeals to the High Court

Time limits

R v Allen [2023] EWHC 3125 (SCCO) SC-2023-CRI-000062 

Legal Aid Crown Court Fees Guidance

Criminal Procedure Rules : case management rules 1.1.(2)(e) and 3.2.(3))

Lord Chancellor v SVS Solicitors [2017] EWHC 1045 (QB)

R v Nutting [2013] 6 Costs Law Reports 103

Lord Chancellor v Hayes [2017] EWHC 138

Page count calculation method

Lord Chancellor v SVS Solicitors [2017] EWHC 1045 (QB)

R v Liddle. SCCO Ref: SC-2021-CRI-34

Lord Chancellor v Lam and Meerbux Solicitors [2023] EWHC 1186

Remuneration                                   

R v Lawrence [2022] EWHC 3355

Duplication: Dauginitis [2018] 

Excel : O’Rourke [2017] SCCO 10/17,34/17,47/1.

PDF : R v Ahmed (SCCO Ref 182/19) : 20.4.20

Hyper links: R v Liddle SCCO Ref: SC-2021-CRI-34 : 20.7.21

Percentage approach: R v Sereika (168/18) and R v Umi Noor [2022] EWHC 2837 (SCCO) SC-2021-CRI-000005 & 000006 : 19.10.22

Sizing : R v Grant SCCO Ref: 263/18 24.4.20

Upscaling : R v Bowen [2024] EWHC 2071 (SCCO) SC-2023-CRI-000078 : 5.8.24

Lord Chancellor v Lam and Meerbux Solicitors [2023] EWHC 1186 (KB) Cotter J

R v Francis SC-2020 Ref: 20-20-CRI 000004 Cost Judge Rowley

R v Wadsworth and Ogdan Hooper SC-2021-CRI-000024 Costs Judge Leonard

HHJudge Collier QC in R-v-MA [2018] 2 Costs LR 9; Costs Judge Leonard in R v Rimon Ali [2024] EWHC 169

R v Christopher Brooks

Costs Judge Leonard in R v. Zigaras [2018], SCCO Ref: 155/18.

R v. Hussain [2011]

R v. Sharif (SCCO 168/13)

R v.Arbas Khan (SCCO Ref:219/18)

R v. Ayomanor (SCCO SC-2020-CRI-000146)

R v. Wharton (SCCO SC-2021-CRI-000195)

R v Garry Moore (SCCO SC- 2022 CRI/002) [2022] EWHC 1659

Carson Kaye Solicitors & Others v The Lord Chancellor (Re R v Abada) [2022] EWHC 2926 (SCCO)

Cracked trial or guily plea fee

Newton hearing

R v Gordon Lamonby SCCO Reference SC -2023 – CRI -000053 [2024] EWHC 22 (SCCO)

R v Muse [2024] EWHC 1969 (SCCO)

R v Barzey [2022] EWHC 1775 (SCCO) Reference: SC-2022-CRI-000034

R v Malik (SCCO SC-2019-CRI- 000136, 5.6.20)

Senior Courts Costs Office Appeal Cases