Reforming the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme

This consultation paper sets out proposals for the reform of the funding scheme which pays advocates to defend clients in the Crown Court. The government is seeking views on all aspects of these proposals. In particular, the government would like to hear views specifically on:

• the graduated fee bundle
• categorisation of offences and standard cases
• early guilty pleas and cracked trials
• special preparation
• other aspects of the scheme design
• equalities matters