A&A accounts and telephone calls: rates allowable and information you should provide with the account entry

A telephone call is only chargeable at one of the rates prescribed in the Table of Fees in Part 2 of Schedule 3 of the Advice and Assistance (Scotland) Regulations 1996, as follows:

  • For a short call up to four minutes.
  • For a lengthy call over four and up to 10 minutes, with enough brief narrative to identify which charge is appropriate.
  • Time charge under paragraph 1A for lengthier calls subject to the time being properly recorded in a file note.

Standard charges, based on five or six minute units, perhaps in the use of a time recording system, are contrary to the basis of the fees set out in the Table of Fees. Where it is unclear how long a telephone call lasted or there is insufficient narrative to support a charge, we will only allow a charge at the lowest rate.

Unanswered telephone 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.

You are not providing advice and assistance.

We can exceptionally allow a charge for a telephone call where you leave a message on an answering machine or with someone other than the intended recipient of the call but, in the process indirectly provide the assisted person:

  • Fresh advice.
  • Information which progresses the case.
A&A fees payable for letters
A&A fees payable for the taking of precognitions

In this section

Accounts - charging

A&A accounts: no work chargeable before advice and assistance is granted

Discover at what point you can begin charging for advice and assistance.

Accounts - charging

Providing sufficient narrative information for the assessment of account entries

Discover what details you should provide in your account entries to allow us to understand the work undergone.

Accounts - charging

A&A Accounts: fees for the initial meeting and taking instructions from the client

Find out what fees are eligible for taking initial instructions from the client.

Accounts - charging

Charging for meetings with clients

Find out to what extent you may charge for meetings held with clients.

Accounts - charging

A&A fees payable for letters

Find out which A&A fees are payable for letters.

Accounts - charging

A&A fees payable for the taking of precognitions

Find out what A&A fees are allowable for taking of precognitions.

Accounts - charging

A&A Accounts: the rate payable for perusal of documents

Discover what rate we will pay for the perusal of documents.