Charges for telephone calls

Telephone calls

A telephone call is chargeable depending on its duration.

The rates are prescribed at:

  • Paragraph 5(e) of Schedule 5 of the Civil Legal Aid (Scotland) (Fees) Regulations 1989 or paragraph 4(v) of Schedule 3 of the Civil Legal Aid (Scotland) (Fees) Regulations 1989, for a short call up to four minutes.
  • Paragraph 4(f) of Schedule 5 or paragraph 3(iv) of Schedule 3, for a lengthy call over 4 and up to 10 minutes.
  • Paragraph 2(a) or 2(b) of Schedule 5 or paragraph 2(i) or 2(ii) of Schedule 3 for calls exceeding 10 minutes.

The references to the ABWOR Table of Fees are in connection with automatic legal aid.

All charges should be supported with a narrative detailing the following:

  • The date on which the work is carried out.
  • Clear reference to who the call was with and its purpose.
  • Length of the call.
  • The name and status (qualified or unqualified) of the individual carrying out the work.
  • Any other factors which may contribute to the time spent.

Standard charges

Charges based on for example five or six minute units cannot be allowed.  Where it appears that this method of charging has been used we will only allow a charge at the lowest rate.

Unanswered calls

No charge can be allowed for a telephone call where:

  • There is no reply.
  • A message is left on an answering machine or with someone other than the intended recipient of the call where no substantive discussion takes place i.e. requesting your client returns your call.

We can provide an exception where substantive information or advice which advances the case is provided in the voicemail or in the message left with the person who answered the call.

Charges for preparation and research
Charges for affidavits and precognitions

In this section

Detailed fees

What supporting information will be needed to justify fees charged

Find out what sort of information and documentation will be needed to justify work undertaken when an account is being assessed

Detailed fees

Detailed fees for automatic children’s legal aid

Find out what regulations govern the fees charged for automatic children’s legal aid accounts.

Detailed fees

Sheriff Court (excluding automatic legal aid and ABWOR)

Find out what regulations govern the fees charged for children’s legal aid accounts for proceedings in the sheriff court excluding automatic legal aid and ABWOR

Detailed fees

Court of Session

Find out what regulations govern the fees charged for Children’s legal aid accounts for proceedings in the Court of Session.

Detailed fees

Uplift in Fees not available

Find out whether you can apply for an uplift in fees under a grant of children’s legal aid.

Detailed fees

Commencement of chargeable work

Find out when you can start charging for work under a grant of legal aid.

Detailed fees

Charges for attending court

Find out how to charge for time at court including conjoined time, advocacy and non-advocacy time and waiting time.

Detailed fees

Charging for meetings and consultations

Find out about what can be charged for in meetings with clients, including file notes, precognitions, locus visits and consultations with Edinburgh agents.

Detailed fees

Perusal charges

Find out what charges can be made for perusing documents and other material including letters, photographs and DVDs.

Detailed fees

Charges for preparation and research

Find out what charges can be made for preparation work, including for researching the law.

Detailed fees

Charges for affidavits and precognitions

Find out what charges can be made for taking and framing affidavits and precognitions and who can carry out such work.

Detailed fees

Charges for framing documents

Find out what can be charged for framing papers, including formal and non-formal documents, written submissions and account synopsis.

Detailed fees

Charges for citations, letters and electronic communication

Find out what charges can be made for framing citations and different kinds of letters.

Detailed fees

Charges for miscellaneous work

Find out what charges can be made for items of formal work including lodging documents, photocopying, administrative charges and contact-related work.