VHCCs - Very High Cost (Criminal) Cases
Apply for a Very High Cost Case (VHCC) contract.
Applies to England and Wales
Notifying the Criminal Cases Unit (CCU) of a possible VHCC
You must tell us as soon as it appears that the case has, or is likely to have, a trial estimate in excess of 40 days. Use the .
If the trial estimate is between 40 and 60 days, we will issue an Individual Case Contract but pay you under the applicable Graduated Fee schemes.
Where the trial estimate is in excess of 60 days, we will (absent exceptional circumstances) contract the case as a VHCC and proceed with the applicable contractual arrangements.
To notify us of a potential VHCC or if you are in any doubt, please email us at: ccu@justice.gov.uk
How a VHCC works:
- each defence team will be assigned a dedicated Case Manager from the CCU
- the Case Manager will negotiate with the defence team to agree the scope and extent of work to be undertaken in 3 month stages (we remunerate self-employed advocates under the Interim Fixed Fee Offer detailed below)
- payment is made at the end of each 3 month stage - as long as the work falls within the tasks and hours agreed in advance
Read further guidance on high cost case arrangements and contract documents for organisations and self-employed advocates.
VHCC accreditation
Organisations and self-employed advocates who wish to undertake VHCC work or organisations who wish to undertake ICC work must either (a) hold a Standard Crime Contract or (b) meet the requirements set out in Part A of the .
Please email us at ccu@justice.gov.uk to progress any matters relating to accreditation.
Interim Fixed Fee Offer
Self-employed advocates instructed in criminal VHCCs may choose to be paid via an Interim Fixed Fee Offer (IFFO).
Once contracted as a VHCC the Case Manager will collate relevant information about the case. This will include, but not be limited to: * the offences charged * volume of prosecution material * estimated/confirmed trial length
Once validated, we enter the information into a spreadsheet to derive a whole case fee. This is subject to later adjustment and is payable in 3 instalments. We will draft a VHCC Substantive IFFO contract for each self-employed advocate. Further information on how the whole case fee is derived is contained in the document .
Upon receipt of a signed contract the designated Case Manager will pay the First Instalment. If the trial has not started within 6 months of the contract being signed, Counsel may claim an interim payment of 50% of the Second Instalment. When the trial commences, the balance of, or full, Second Instalment will be paid. The Third Instalment is paid after the trial concludes.
Appeal a VHCC decision
The CCU Case Manager and defence team negotiate the scope and extent of work to be undertaken in each stage of the case in advance. If agreement on a specific task (or group of tasks) cannot be reached, the defence team have a right of appeal to an independent VHCC Appeals Adjudicator/Committee.
The process and timescales are set out in section 6 of the VHCC Specification.
Livenote
Livenote is a real time court transcription service, the cost of which is divided equally between the court, prosecution, and defence. The Criminal Cases Unit is responsible for agreeing the defence share of Livenote costs on all Crown Court cases.
The court and prosecution must first confirm that Livenote is required for the case, and the prosecution are expected to obtain a quote from the service provider, which should be provided to the CCU.
To secure funding for your share of the cost, email a along with the quote from the service provider to:ccu@justice.gov.uk
Contact details
Criminal Cases Unit
LAA, Level 6, The Capital, Union Street, Liverpool, L3 9AF
DX 745810, Liverpool 35
Email: ccu@justice.gov.uk
Updates to this page
Last updated 2 January 2024 + show all updates
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As of 2 January 2024 firms who hold a standard crime contract will no longer need to demonstrate they meet the VHCC accreditation requirements. Firms who do not hold a Standard Crime Contract will need to demonstrate they meet the accreditation requirements.
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Updated information on VHCC cases and how to apply for accreditation
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Publication of the calculator and explanatory note for criminal advocates’ fees in Very High Cost Cases.
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First published.