HC Deb 22 October 1992 vol 212 cc338-9W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the rates have been for green form legal advice for each of the last 10 years; and if he will give the figures in real terms.

Mr. John M. Taylor

Before 1989, solicitors' bills for legal advice and assistance were assessed by the Law Society. The hourly guideline rates from 1982 to 1988 were:

Year Rate Rate expressed at 1992–93 prices
1982 24.00 41.89
1983 25.00 41.70
1984 26.00 41.31
1985 27.00 40.65
11986 28.50 41.54
21986 30.50 44.46
1987 32.50 44.93
1988 34.50 44.48
1April
2 October

Since 1989 the rate paid to solicitors for legal advice and assistance is the same as that for work in criminal proceedings in the magistrates court. The prescribed hourly rates since 1989 have been:

Year Rate Rate expressed at 1992–93 prices
1989 36.50 44.15
1990 39.25 43.89
1991 42.00 43.98
1992 43.25

Figures have been uprated to 1992–93 prices using the