Additional payments
Travel
4.12Travel time cannot be included in the calculation of core costs. However, if the case is exceptional because it reaches the escape figure as it is above the HFL, then the value of the travel time may be recovered subject to the following rules.
4.13The normal limit is one hour per journey (two hours in all) but if after the case has become exceptional the client is moved between prisons, further from the solicitor’s office, the limit is increased to three hours per journey (six hours in all) from the date of the move (if the move was after the escape threshold had been reached (SCC B12.44–12.47)).
Disbursements
4.14Reasonable disbursements including travel costs are allowed in addition to these fees. Prior authority is required for disbursements exceeding £500 (SCC B12.48). No more than one expert may normally be instructed (SCC B12.49).
4.15Counsel’s fees cannot normally be claimed as a disbursement and counsel are treated as would be unassigned counsel in magistrates’ court cases. A fee must be agreed with the Bar payable from the standard or other fee (SCC B12.51–12.52, 12.54). In advocacy assistance cases their time counts towards the core costs in those circumstances (SCC B12.55–12.56).
4.16An exception applies in advice and assistance cases that have reached the escape threshold. In these cases counsel’s fees may be claimed as a disbursement (SCC B12.53) but subject to the max-imum fee principle.