Applying for an increase beyond the standard cost limit: procedure and information to provide

If the standard cost limit is not sufficient to conclude the case, you can apply for an increase in funding. You should complete the amend application. There is no limit to the number of amend applications you can submit.

Our policy is that we will grant a request to increase a cost limit where we consider that, firstly, the work proposed in order to bring the case to a conclusion appears to be proportionate; and, secondly, the specific sum sought appears to be reasonable.

Your amend application needs to explain why the available expenditure is running out and what work is needed to bring the case to a conclusion.

You should provide an estimate of the total case costs to date, and a breakdown of the future costs you think you are likely to incur.

It should also give up to date information about the prospects of success for the assisted person.

You should include details of:

  • counsel and expert fees
  • other significant outlays including reporter’s or curator’s costs
  • likely length of any court hearings including estimates of time needed for any proof
  • number of child welfare hearings in the case, if applicable
  • any equalities considerations which impact on the cost of the case
  • any special needs of your client, that require additional assistance or expenditure
  • any transfer of agency which has taken place, where a substantial amount of work has already been undertaken by the outgoing solicitor.
Seeking a review of the case cost limit applied: procedure and information to provide
Increases in long running cases or with multiple legally-aided parties: our monitoring role

In this section

Cost limits

Cost limitations on grants of civil legal aid: how the limit is calculated and what is covered

Find out more about cost limitations on grants of civil legal aid, how the limit is calculated and what is covered.

Cost limits

The importance of monitoring your case costs: considering sufficient expenditure

Learn about why you need to ensure you have sufficient expenditure in place for all the work you need to undertake.

Cost limits

Case cost limits: payments from the Fund and judicial expenses cases

Find out why the cost limit is not relevant on your case if you obtain judicial expenses.

Cost limits

Applying for funding beyond the standard cost limit: factors to be addressed

Find out what factors we have to consider when assessing your application for a higher level of expenditure.

Cost limits

Seeking a review of the case cost limit applied: procedure and information to provide

Find out the details you need to submit if you are seeking a review of the cost limit of your case.

Cost limits

Increases in long running cases or with multiple legally-aided parties: our monitoring role

Learn about when we will monitor long running cases and what form this will take.

Cost limits

Situations in which retrospective authority for a case cost increase may be granted

Find out when retrospective sanction will be considered and what we consider a good reason for not seeking our prior approval for a case cost increase.

Cost limits

TOOL: standard cost limit of your case

Use our case costs limit tool to view relevant information about your civil legal aid work.