National Taxing Team
Assesment 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 also provides advice and assistance to the following:
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Magistrates Courts in relation to costs out of central funds
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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 also for audit visits to Crown Courts to ensure determining staff are processing claims in accordance with statute and issued guidance.
The NTT has also undertaken training workshops for legal practitioners dealing with making claims for costs.
The great bulk of the work done by the NTT arises out of Crown Court Representation Orders. When the NTT was formed in 1998 its workload was approximately 20,000 claims per annum. During 1998 - 1999 the NTT assumed reponsibility for all "ex post facto" (discretionary) claims previously dealt with by the Crown Court. Workload increased to 80,000 claims each year as a result. Current annual receipts are in the region of 96,000.
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.
NTT Customer Service and Communications ManagerThe NTT Customer Service Manager will deal 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.
c/o National Taxing Team
The Crown Court
College Road
Doncaster
DN1 3HS
DX: 703005 DONCASTER 5
Tel: 01302 363988 ext 409 Fax: 01302 322441
Mobile: 07500 814088
Contact for website content or presentation
Peter FitzGerald-Morris
Tel: 01622 200304
NTT Management BoardNational Taxing DirectorBeverley Willstrop
43 Bedford Square
London
WC1B 3DP
DX 119753 BLOOMSBURY 5
Tel: 07710 347085 Fax: 01737 271996
NTT Senior Project Manager and Change CoordinatorRosie Shattock
c/o National Taxing Team
3rd floor
Temple Court
35 Bull Street
Birmingham
B4 6LG
DX 701991 BIRMINGHAM 7
Mobile: 07836 282445
NTT Management Board Minutes SecretaryDavid Swift
15 Quay Street
Manchester
M60 9FD
DX 715178 Manchester 26
Tel: 0161 833 1004 ext 273 Fax: 0161 839 9608
The structure of the NTT RegionsThere are about 120 staff in the NTT split between managers, determining officers and administrative staff. The NTT is divided into administrative units under a Regional Taxing Manager. All queries relating relating to individual claims for costs should be directed to the appropriate regional manager.
NTT locations map ( 106.993Kb)
Birmingham (with officers also at Leicester, Hereford, Norwich, Harrow, Basildon and Snaresbrook Crown Courts)
Phil Sulley Regional Taxing Manager Tel:0121 681 3260 Mobile:07767 677016
Cardiff (with officers also at Swansea Crown Court)
David Keveren Regional Taxing Manager Tel: 029 2067 8377 Mobile: 07812841005
Doncaster (with a further office at Newcastle and other officers at Leeds, Sheffield and Durham Crown Courts)
Roger Pendleton Acting Regional Taxing Manager Tel: 01302 322037
Manchester (Principal office in Salford, with others in Preston, London and Maidstone and other officers at Woolwich Crown Court)
Sandra Crossley Regional Taxing Manager Tel: 0161 745 4259
Winchester (Principal office at Eastleigh, with other officers based at Reading and Chichester Crown Courts and Weymouth)
David Keveren Regional Taxing Manager Tel: 029 2067 8377 Mobile: 07812841005
This section of the site includes our visions, values, standards and performance and training opportunities for practitioners
Please complete and return our 2008 customer service questionaire
This section of the site contains comprehensive information on compiling and lodging a claim for costs and the appeal process
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
NTT CUSTOMER SURVEY 2008
Please take a few minutes to complete and return our 2008 customer service survey
LONDON OFFICE REORGANISATION
From the 26th May 2008 the London Office of the NTT will cease to be a separate region. The Offices at Bedford Square and in Maidstone remain open however and the determining officers working both there and in the Crown Courts in London will be administered by the Manchester and Birmingham Regions. Please see the London Office page as to which NTT Region will now be responsible for recieving and booking in work relating to Crown Courts formerly dealt with by the London Region.
MANCHESTER TAXING TEAM ON THE MOVE
On 6th May 2008 The Manchester NTT are moving to:
3rd Floor
Salford County Court
Prince William House
Salford
M5 4RR
DX 702633 Salford 5
Tel: 0161 745 4240
Fax: 0161 745 4268
Please submit all new bills and any correspondence to the new address with effect from that date.
COSTS OUT OF CENTRAL FUNDS IN THE MAGISTRATES COURT
It is confirmed that unless and until further notice the responsibility for the determination of claims for costs out of central funds arising out of cases in the Magistrates Court remains with the Justices' Clerk in accordance with regulation 5(2)(d) of the The Costs in Criminal Cases (General) Regulations 1986. The justices clerk may consult the NTT on points of practice.
ENDING OF LITIGATORS' EX POST FACTO SCHEME
On the coming into effect of the Criminal Defence Service (Funding) Order 2007 on 14th January 2008 the ex post facto scheme of remuneration for litigators ceases for defendants with representation orders after that date, in respect of general case preparation. Litigators will thereafter be remunerated in accordance with the Litigator Graduated Fee Scheme. The ex post facto scheme will remain in respect of work in respect of confiscation proceedings which remains excluded from the LGFS, and separate claims for this work should continue to be lodged with the NTT until further notice.
NTT ACHIEVES CHARTER MARK
The NTT is pleased to announce that we have successfully achieved the Charter Mark standard for excellence in all of our six regions. Charter Mark is the government's national standard for customer service excellence.