Introduction
4.1The provisions on prison law are contained in Standard Crime Contract (SCC) B12. There must have been a successful application to undertake prison law work (SCC B12.1). The sufficient benefit test applies (SCC B12.6) and financial eligibility tests apply (SCC B12.14–12.15). A fixed and standard fee regime applies in prison law cases (SCC B12.2–12.3 and 12.75–12.76). The standard fee arrangements bear a close resemblance to the magistrates’ court scheme but with different technical rules.
4.2It is essential to identify:
(a)the circumstances which engage the different fees;
(b)the core costs of each case to see if the escape provisions or higher fees apply; and
(c)the number of cases involved as the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is -anxious to avoid inappropriate case splitting (SCC B12.33–12.41).