The processing, validation and payment of claims under the Advocates? Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS) is being transferred from HMCS to the Legal Services Commission (LSC).

The AGFS, Funding Order and Regulations are not changing as a result of this transfer of work.

A phased transfer of work has been agreed between HMCS and LSC. The LSC has also met with representatives including the Bar Council, Law Society and Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates (SAHCA) and Software Vendors to understand how the transfer will impact different groups and advise on how the transfer should work to ensure the smoothest transition.

1)    From 7 February 2011 the LSC will process all claims on cases with representation orders dated from 1 January 2011 and all claims currently submitted to HMCS in the Wales and South West court regions.

2)    From 28 February 2011 the LSC will process all claims currently submitted to HMCS in the North West, North East and Midlands court regions.

3)   From 18 April 2011 the LSC will process all claims completing the transfer. This is when claims submitted to the HMCS London and South East regions will be send to the LSC.

Any claims received by HMCS after the relevant transfer date will be returned. These claims will need to be submitted to the LSC on the new AF1 form.

Please refer to the LSC?s website for more Q&As, including information on which forms to use and how to submit a claim to the LSC on the following link: http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/criminal/advocates_graduated_fee.asp.  If you have any urgent queries regarding the transfer please email the project team at the LSC on AGFSTransfer@legalservice.gsi.gov.uk