Prior authorities
8.2Prior authority for disbursements (and for performing an act which is either unusual in its nature or involves unusually large expenditure)
1SCC A5.28; Remuneration Regulations 2013 reg 13. may be obtained electronically on Form CRM4. No question may then be raised about the propriety of any step taken or disbursement incurred unless the litigator knew or ought to have known that the purpose for which the authority had been given had failed or become irrelevant or unnecessary before the liability was incurred.
2SCC A5.30; Remuneration Regulations 2013 reg 17(3).8.3An authority may also be sought to have travel and accommodation expenses in order to attend the main hearing at the Crown Court.
3Remuneration Regulations 2013 reg 13(3). A claim can still be made even if no authority was obtained and a claim is not limited to the amount of the authority if the larger sum was reasonable.
4SCC A5.33; Remuneration Regulations 2013 reg 17(5) and Matthews TMC S26.8.4In giving a quotation an expert must explain why the work is -needed but the LAA must give reasons for refusing or limiting an authority.
5R (T) v Legal Aid Agency [2013] EWHC 960 (Admin). Experts should include within their quotation, any estim-ate for travel time required, so that it is included within the prior authority. They should quote hourly rates and not an overall fee unless a fixed fee is payable under the Regulations.
8.5Advocates and litigators seeking advance authority for travel and accommodation costs should refer to CCFG 1.13.4. Guidance on rates appears at CCFG 1.17.12.