Expert Witnesses and Service Providers in Civil Cases

In civil legal aid cases, a solicitor cannot engage an expert to provide a report, pay fees to an expert witness, without seeking prior approval from our Head Office.

Solicitors must make a specific application for authority for each case in which they wish to retain an expert or have a witness attend court. Approval is granted in the form of an "authority" (if the case is an advice-only case) or "amended legal aid certificate" (for legal aid cases). It is also possible for a solicitor to seek approval for additional expenses at the time the legal aid certificate is granted. 

Fees

We are obliged to adopt a scale of fees for experts / witnesses that is consistent with similar rates paid by other public service providers.

List of maximum fees for experts in civil legal aid cases.