Summary of processing timescales
Information will be updated on a weekly basis and the current position will be the oldest date as of Friday the previous week.
We continually aim to turnaround applications and bills as soon as possible and strive to deliver performance under our current set targets.
Crime applications
Current targets:
| Applications and Appeals |
|---|
| 90% within 2 working days |
| Work type | Current position (working days) |
|---|---|
| CRM14/15 – Application for legal aid | 1 day |
| Administrative Interest of Justice Appeals | 1 day |
Very high cost cases and central fund claims – Criminal Cases Unit
Current targets:
| All categories |
|---|
| 90% within 20 working days |
| Work type | Current position (working days) |
|---|---|
| Audits | 3 days |
| LGFS special preparation | 8 days |
| AGFS special preparation | 11 days |
Criminal billing
Current targets:
| Application for prior authority/applications to extend upper financial limit | Claims | LGFS & AGFS redetermination requests |
|---|---|---|
| 90% within 5 working days | 90% within 15 working days | 90% within 30 working days |
| Work type | Oldest date of receipt by LAA of work now being processed | |
|---|---|---|
| CRM4 | Application for prior authority (disbursement) | 1 day |
| CRM5 | Application for prior authority (costs) | 1 day |
| CRM7 | Non-standard magistrates’ court claim | 8 days |
| CRM18 | Police station exceptional claim | 10 days |
| LF1 (final) | Litigator graduated fee claim | 6 days |
| LF1 (fixed) | Litigator graduated fee claim | 0 days |
| LF1 (interim) | Litigator graduated fee disbursement | 3 days |
| LF2 | Redetermination request | 16 days |
| AF1 (final) | Advocates fee | 3 days |
| AF1 (fixed) | Advocates fixed fee | 3 days |
| AF2 | Advocates fee | 12 days |
Please allow a further 5 – 9 days for payment to be received
The current position above is from the receipt of the claim to process completion and does not take into consideration the time taken for postage.
Using our online billing system
Crown Court Claims for Defence (CCD) will enable you to eradicate the additional postage delays in processing your claim and allow you to submit redetermination requests instantaneously.
You can also check on the progress of your claim on line at any time.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/crime-processing-dates