Member

Charges for litigation work can be far in excess of those which a privately paying client would consider reasonable and may, in some instances, be disproportionate to the losses incurred. For example, in one fraud case, the Ministry of Justice received a claim for private prosecutor costs of £90,000, despite the loss amounting to £5,000 and there being fewer than 400 pages of statements and exhibits to consider. Clause 12 allows rates to be set only in order to make it clear, through secondary legislation, what the state considers to be appropriate remuneration. The rates proposed would be subject to extensive engagement with stakeholders and a full public consultation, aimed at ensuring that they reflect the complexity and seriousness of cases, while also improving certainty and efficiency.