[2012] NICA 12

In Northern Ireland Crown Court cases where a criminal legal aid certificate had been granted to the defendants before the entry into force of the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2011 on April 13, 2011, the Legal Aid for Crown Court Proceedings (Costs) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2005 governed the assessment of the assigned solicitor's costs even if a different solicitor was subsequently substituted as the assigned solicitor. The correct procedure for effecting assignment of a different solicitor was by the grant of a fresh certificate rather than amendment of the original certificate.

CA (NI) (Higgins LJ, Girvan LJ, Coghlin LJ)

15/05/2012