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

All grants of civil legal aid are subject to cost limitation, it varies depending on the work covered by the grant. Each cost limit is inclusive of all costs in the case. It covers all your fees, use of experts and all other outlays. The limits are exclusive of VAT for solicitors and counsel.

We will always notify you of the cost limit for your grant. If the nature of the proceedings or the court changes, the cost limit in place will only ever be amended upwards. There are no situations where it will be reduced.

The cost limit is based on the primary category selected. If there are ancillary craves these do not increase the standard cost

Cost limitations put us in a broadly comparable position with other third party funders and private fee paying clients. We can assess the on-going prospects of success for a case and determine the level of expenditure proportionate to it.

The importance of monitoring your case costs: considering sufficient expenditure

In this section

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

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

Learn about the information you need to include in your AMEND application when applying for an increase in your case cost limit.

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.