https://www.slab.org.uk/guidance/sanction-for-unusual-expenditure-or-work-likely-to-involve-unusually-large-expenditure-2/
Regulation 21 provides that you need our prior approval for work of an unusual nature or likely to involve unusually large expenditure. No specific criteria for approval are laid down in the regulations and the matter is at our discretion.
All work done, and any item of expense incurred in a legal aid case, is subject to our scrutiny and possible abatement, and may also be subject to taxation by the auditor. To this extent, the requirement for prior approval for unusual work or unusually large expenditure can work as a safeguard for you. It is much better for you to know in advance whether or not we will pay for an item of expenditure before it is incurred.
You must apply for sanction online and provide all the information requested. In a case of exceptional urgency, you may apply by telephone then send us the online application if we grant or part grant your application over the telephone.
Where the cost of work you seek to carry out is less than £2,000, excluding VAT you do not need our sanction. However, you only have authority to do the work if a final cost, not an estimated cost at the outset, is £2,000 or less.
In addition, the whole charge, and not just that exceeding £2,000, will be abated if it exceeds this limit.
This limit of £2,000 does not apply to work of an unusual nature where you must always seek sanction before the work is carried out.
Examples of some common situations where unusually large expenditure is likely to be incurred:
These examples are not by any means exhaustive. If you are in any doubt about this you should contact us to discuss the work proposed.
You must always seek sanction for work of an unusual nature before it is carried out, irrespective of the cost of the unusual work.
Examples of unusual work which would require sanction include:
These examples are not exhaustive. If you are in any doubt about this you should before instructing or carrying out any such work contact us to discuss the work concerned.
Examples of work which we do not consider unusual and do not require sanction include:
These examples are not exhaustive. If you are in any doubt about this you should, before instructing or carrying out any such work, contact us to discuss the work proposed.
Procedures after legal aid is granted
Find out what documents/information should be provided when applying for sanction for unusual expenditure or work likely to involve unusually large expenditure.
Procedures after legal aid is granted
Learn about what information Reporters will disclose in proof proceedings, when sanction is needed before taking precognitions and joint or shared precognitions