National Taxing Team
Assessment of discretionary costs claims in the Criminal Courts
History and Purpose of the NTT
The NTT was set up in June 1998 to supercede the former Circuit based Central Taxing Teams. It undertakes the determination of all discretionary claims for costs in the Crown Courts arising out of
- Representation Orders under the Access to Justice Act 1999
- orders for costs out central funds under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, and
- orders for costs between parties made under the Criminal Procedure Rules 2005.
The NTT is responsible, on behalf of the Crown Court, for the calculation of advocates graduated fees for trial and retrial involving the same advocate under AGFS scheme 4 (representation orders on or after 30th April 2007).
From 13th October 2008 the NTT also undertakes the determination of claims for costs out of central funds in the Magistrates Court where the court has not fixed the sum to be paid.
The NTT also provides advice and assistance to the following:
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Crown Courts in respect of advocates graduated fee schemes, and cost matters generally
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the Registrar of the Court of Appeal relating to legal aid and central funds determinations
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the Judge Advocate General's Department relating to costs determinations arising out of Courts Martial
The NTT is also responsible for the delivery of advocates graduated fee training to staff in the Crown Court, and has also undertaken training workshops for legal practitioners on making claims for costs.
The NTT is part of Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS). Day to day operational matters are the responsibility of the National Taxing Director who reports to the HMCS Finance Director. HMCS is an agency of the Ministry of Justice.
Contact Details
NTT Customer Service and Communications Manager
Dealing with any general customer service related issues, but not specific case related matters which should be addressed to the appropriate Regional Manager as listed below.
Caroline Grisely Mobile: 07500 814088 Tel: 01302 363988
NTT Webmaster
Contact for website content or presentation
Peter FitzGerald-Morris Tel: 01622 200304
NTT Senior Project Manager and Change Coordinator
Dealing with management of Change projects within or relating to NTT
Rosie Shattock Mobile: 07836 282445
NTT Management Board
National Taxing Director:
Beverley Willstrop Mobile:07710 347085 Fax: 01737 271996
Regional Taxing Managers:
Birmingham and Cardiff : Phil Sulley Tel:0121 681 3260 Mobile:07767 677016
Doncaster: Roger Pendleton Tel: 01302 322037
Manchester , London and Winchester: Sandra Crossley Tel: 0161 745 4259 Mobile: 07500 120247
NTT Management Board Minutes Secretary:
David Swift Tel: 0161 745 4260 Fax: 0161 745 4268
For local information please see regional pages
NTT locations map(107 Kb)
The information on this site is presented in the Claim Guidance and Customer Service sections.
It is our aim in the National Taxing Team to make our services events and training available to all sections of the community. If you have any particular special needs in relation to any of these matters or any suggestions as to how we could improve the site or any other information given please contact the Customer Service Manager.
Minicom VII number for the National Taxing Team: 020 7842 7594
Accessibility Guidelines HMCS website guidance for the partially sighted and those with dyslexia
CLOSURE OF DONCASTER REGION OF THE NTT
The Doncaster Region of the NTT will close on 31st March 2010. Please see the details on the Doncaster page.
MAIDSTONE OFFICE OF THE NTT MOVES
The Maidstone office of the NTT (within the Manchester Region until 1st April 2010) moved offices as from 1st March 2010. Please see the details on the Manchester page.
NTT NEWSLETTER WINTER 2009/10
This special issue of the NTT newsletter relating to the NTT restructuring is avalable from the Customer Service Page
CLOSURE OF CARDIFF REGION OF THE NTT
The Cardiff Region of the NTT closed on 12th February 2010. Please see the details on the Cardiff page.
CLOSURE OF WINCHESTER REGION AND PRESTON OFFICE OF THE NTT
The Winchester Region of the NTT closed on 22nd December 2009 and the Preston office of the NTT in the Manchester Region closed on 31st December 2009. Please see the details on the Winchester and Manchester pages
NEW REGIME FOR DEFENCE COSTS OUT OF CENTRAL FUNDS
As a consequence of the coming into effect on 31st October 2009 of the Costs in Criminal Cases (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 the whole basis on which claims for defendants costs out of central funds (s16 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985) are determined and paid has changed. The new provisions are set out in the Central Funds section. These provisions do not apply to the costs of private prosecutors or appointees (orders under s17 or s19 ).
AMMENDMENT TO THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE RULES CREATES NEW PART 76 RELATING TO COSTS
On 5th October 2009 the eigth amendment of the Criminal Procedure Rules will come into effect creating a new Part 76. This new part is the product of the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee's consultation on its proposals to consolidate and revise the rules about costs which closed in January 2009. Please see the section on inter-partes costs for the effect of this on inter-partes determinations carried out by the NTT.
ADVOCATES GRADUATED FEES FOR CONFISCATION HEARINGS
The Criminal Defence Service (Funding) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2009 introduced new fees for advocacy in confiscation hearings concluded on or after 21 August 2009 where there are more than 50 pages of evidence. These fees will be claimed on the new prescribed form and determined by the NTT in accordance with the note for guidance which appears on the General Claim Guidance page.
CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY 2009
The NTT undertakes a periodic survey of customers and the results will be available Customer Service page. The Customer Service Questionaire (word 169 kb) is now available for download and we would ask all users of the NTT's services to complete the form with any additional comments and forward it to the Customer Service Manager
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NTT ACHIEVES NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE ACCREDITATION
Having achieved the national Charter Mark standard last year, in December 2008 the NTT is the first part of HM Courts Service to achieve the new Customer Service Excellence Accreditation.
EFFECT OF VAT CHANGES
The principal advice is available as follows: HMRC, Law Society, Bar Council, Legal Services Commision. Useful guidance is also available from Vantis, and Kain Knight
COSTS OUT OF CENTRAL FUNDS IN THE MAGISTRATES COURT
From Monday 13 October 2008 the NTT will be responsible for the determination of claims for costs from Central Funds in the Magistrates’ Courts, where a fixed amount of costs has not been agreed in Court.
Please see the central funds section of this website for full details and guidance
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