§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the range of sums paid per hour to solicitors in Northern Ireland in respect of legal aid payments; and what is the average taxed rate. [87377]
§ Mr. VazThe hourly rate ranges from £24.25 in respect of travelling and waiting time for a Legal Advice and Assistance case to £64.50 in respect of advocacy by a senior solicitor in a Crown Court criminal case. The current hourly rate in civil cases is £66.50. Additionally for care and conduct these rates are subject to a percentage uplift which is normally in the range of 50 per cent. to 100 per cent.