National Taxing Team
Assessment of discretionary costs claims in the Criminal Courts
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 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
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the Crown Prosecution Service determining discretionary costs of prosecuting advocates
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 Director of Resources. 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
Address: 40 Windmill Way, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0JA
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 833 1004 ext 273 Fax: 0161 839 9608
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
MoJ CONSULTATION ON THE FUTURE OF DEFENCE COSTS OUT OF CENTRAL FUNDS
This consultation on proposals to reforming the way costs from Central Funds are awarded in the defence of privately funded defendants acquitted in criminal cases in England and Wales has now closed, and the MoJ has announced its intention to proceed on the basis that all central funds claims will be determined on a legal aid equivalent basis. The applicable rates for work in the Magistrates Courts will be the rates currently allowable under the General Criminal Contract, and for Crown Court work the sums allowable will be those currently allowed under the advocates and litigators' graduated fee schemes or under VHCC contract as appropriate. A draft statutory instrument is expected shortly and the aim is to have the new regime in place by October 2009.
It is not proposed to make any changes to the current arrangements for private prosecutor, witness, medical expert or interpreter costs, which are also paid from Central Funds.
CONSULTATION ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURE RULES ABOUT COSTS
The Criminal Procedure Rule Committee has sought views on a proposal to consolidate and revise the rules about costs.
The new rules would apply to the powers to make costs orders in criminal cases. The intention is to make rules that are concise, comprehensive and capable of being understood by a layperson.
The current arrangements are contained in Parts 61 and 78 of the Criminal Procedure Rules 2005 and set out in other legislation, practice directions and case law. The new rules would replace the current Parts 76 to 78. Details of the proposal are set out in the invitation to comment.
The deadline for responses passed on 16 January 2009 and the Committe are now considering how to proceed
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
NTT LONDON OFFICE CHANGES
On 26th May 2008 the London area of the NTT ceased to be a separate region. The London Office and the Maidstone Office remain open however and the determining officers working both there and in the Crown Courts in the Greater London area will be administered by the NTT Manchester Region and The NTT Birmingham Region. Please see the London Office page as to which NTT Region will now be responsible for receiving and booking in work relating to Crown Courts formerly dealt with by the London Region.
As from Monday 27th October 2008 the London office of the NTT is at the City of London Magistrates Court.
As from 1st November 2008 any post for the London based determining officers should be directed to:
National Taxing Team
Manchester Region
3rd Floor Prince William House
Salford
M5 4RR
DX 702633
Salford 5
Other contact details for the London based determining officers are on the NTT London Office page.
COSTS OUT OF CENTRAL FUNDS IN THE MAGISTRATES COURT
From Monday 13 October 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
ENDING OF LITIGATORS' EX POST FACTO SCHEME
On 14th January 2008 the Criminal Defence Service (Funding) (Amendment) Order 2007 came into effect and the ex post facto scheme of remuneration for litigators ceased for defendants with representation orders after that date, in respect of general case preparation. Litigators will now be remunerated in accordance with the Litigator Graduated Fee Scheme. The ex post facto scheme remains in respect of confiscation proceedings which remain excluded from the LGFS, and separate claims for this work should continue to be lodged with the NTT until further notice.