Claims paid out of central funds
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-23)

The Criminal Cases Unit is responsible for assessing a range of claims paid out of Central Funds.

If you are a member of the public in receipt of a defendant’s costs order and you wish to claim your costs directly from CCU go to Claim back legal costs from Criminal Cases Unit (CCU). (#member-of-public)

Certain types of claims must be submitted using the Fastrak process.

If you have instructed an advocate (barrister) without instructing a litigator (solicitor) see Direct Access section below.

You must send claims to the Criminal Cases Unit (CCU) within 3 months of the court proceedings ending. The CCU may reject claims if you submit your claim late.

The CCU assesses costs incurred in the magistrates’ court and Crown Court claims from:
- a dismissed or acquitted defendant who has a costs order from the court
- an advocate appointed by the court to cross-examine a vulnerable witness
- an advocate appointed in the Crown Court and where legal aid has not been granted, or has been withdrawn, to put the case for the defendant where the defendant is unfit to plead
- a private prosecutor who has a costs order from the court
How to claim back costs

Where defence costs are claimed under a DCO made in proceedings commencing either in the magistrates’ court or in the Crown Court on or after 1 October 2012 costs are payable only in accordance with the rates and scales set by the Lord Chancellor in the legal costs documents.

Legal Costs Document 1 (magistrates court and appeals to the Crown Court) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/634ed3028fa8f534627a6e77/guide-1.doc) (MS Word Document, 126 KB) Legal Costs Document 2 (Crown Court proceedings on indictment) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/634ed30e8fa8f5346f4fea6b/guide-2.doc) (MS Word Document, 132 KB)

Where prosecution costs are claimed under a Prosecution Costs Order (PCO) and where Court Appointee costs are claimed under a notice of appointment made in proceedings either in the magistrates’ court or in the Crown Court solicitors costs are payable in accordance with the Solicitors Guideline Hourly Rates (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/solicitors-guideline-hourly-rates)

Expenses incurred in attending court by witnesses (including professional and expert witnesses), interpreters, and intermediaries, are paid locally by the court in accordance with the Guide to Allowances. These expenses are paid locally by the Court, in accordance with the Guide to Allowances and not by the CCU.

Guide to allowances (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65d86f1354f1e700111658eb/guide-allowances-under-part-v-costs-criminal-cases-general-september-2016.doc) (MS Word Document, 187 KB)

Extension of time for submitting your central funds claim

You can request an extension of time by email at least 7 days before your claim is due.
- enter ‘extension of time’ in the subject header
- give details of why you need an extension and the date you need it for.
- E-mail: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
Reassessment of your central funds claim

If you disagree with the CCU’s decision you must ask for it to be reconsidered (a review or a redetermination) within 21 days of the assessment.
- make your request in writing and sign it
- specify what is disputed and why
- enclose relevant documents and information
- advise if you’d like to make an application to be heard
- email your request to the same email address your original claim was sent to
How to appeal

If your claim is for:
- Prosecutor or defence costs incurred in the Crown Court
- costs incurred in the Crown Court as an appointed advocate
You can, within 21 days of the notification of the reassessment decision, request written reasons. If you are still dissatisfied with those reasons, you can appeal to the Costs Judge.

The Senior Costs JudgeThe Senior Courts Costs OfficeThomas More BuildingRoyal Courts of JusticeStrandLondon WC2A 2LL

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Telephone xx-xxxx-xxxx

For magistrates’ court claims, there is no right of appeal to a Costs Judge. Claimants are strongly advised to seek appropriate legal advice as soon as possible when considering judicial review proceedings. The pre-action protocol can be found here:- Pre-Action Protocol for Judicial Review – Civil Procedure Rules – Justice UK (https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/protocol/prot_jrv)

Pre-action correspondence should be sent to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

How to appeal to the Costs Judge

You can appeal to the Costs Judge within 21 days of receipt of the written reasons. You must complete the appeal form (http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/criminal/docs/2010/crimpr-part76-appellants-notice-crim-costs-appeal-to-a-costs-judge-2010.pdf), specifying the disputed amounts. You must send a copy of your appeal to the CCU at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

You should refer to the Senior Courts Costs Office guide (https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/senior-courts-costs-office)

Use HMCTS CE-File system for appeals

Appeals and applications to the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO) must now only be made through the online CE-File system. These arrangements came into force on 20 January 2020 and apply to all associated documents and correspondence.

Paper appeals submitted will no longer be accepted by the SCCO. You should ensure your form A and a copy of the written reasons for the appeal are uploaded to HM Courts and Tribunals Service CE-File system. There is an issue fee of £123 (as from 8 April 2025), which may be paid by card or Payment by Account (PBA) number.

When issuing a new appeal on the CE-File system, you must provide details of all the parties in the case. You should specify the Legal Aid Agency as the Respondent. In the legal representative section please enter “LAA Legal Team”. It should not be necessary to enter the details manually; if you search “LAA Legal Team”, CE-File will populate the relevant details.

In accordance with regulation 10(3) of the Costs in Criminal Cases (General) Regulations 1986 you must ensure that a copy of the appeal and all relevant supporting documents are served on the determining authority.

You need to serve a complete copy of the appeal documents that you upload to the CE File by sending them by email to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:%xxx@xxx.xx) and the CCU at xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

It is important to note that under regulation 10(11), unless the Costs Judge otherwise directs, no further evidence shall be received on the hearing of the appeal. Also, no grounds of objection shall be valid which was not raised before the Determining Officer on redetermination.

You should also note that unless the Costs Judge otherwise directs:

no further evidence shall be received on the hearing of the appeal

no grounds of objection shall be valid which were not raised before the determining officer on redetermination

If appropriate, you should resubmit your claim in full following receipt of the Costs Judge appeal decision. You should include a copy of the judgment.

We will then consider your claim to see if any payment adjustment needs to be made. The Criminal Cases Unit will notify you when that has been done.

Guidance on the CE-File system is available on this HMCTS GOV.UK page:

CE-File system information and support advice (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ce-file-system-information-and-support-advice)

Where to send claims for costs dealt with by the CCU

Claims for DCO fastrak (magistrates’ claims up to £2000 including counsel fees excluding vat and disbursements) must now be submitted on a DCO1 form and emailed to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Claims for DCO magistrates’ and Crown Court claims over £2000 must be submitted on a DCO2 form and emailed to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Direct access claims must be submitted on the editable PDF form 5913 and 5913A and emailed to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Please ensure subject field states “direct access claim”.

Court Appointee claims must be submitted on a CA1 form and emailed to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Private Prosecution claims must be submitted on a PP1 form and emailed to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

General enquiries should be sent via email to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

How payments are made by the CCU

Payments are made by our payment centre Shared Service Connect Limited (SSCL). For any enquiries or for information on authorised payments, contact SSCL on xx-xxxx-xxxx and select option 2 (2p per minute). Alternatively they can be contacted by email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

You will need to quote the reference number and the payment number, for example, M1234567/12345. Alternatively quote the MOJ reference number sent with your remittance advice, for example, MOJ LA AGENCY xx-xxxx-xxxx.

To ensure you receive payment as quickly as possible it would assist if you provided bank details for a BACS payment. This information should be on letter-headed paper, signed by two partners and scanned/emailed to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

You will need to state the bank name, sort code, account name, account number and an email address for the remittance advice.

Claim back legal costs from Criminal Cases Unit (CCU) as a member of the public in receipt of a defendant’s cost order

If you are a solicitor claiming costs on behalf of your client, you should follow the guidance above.

Members of the public who are in receipt of a defendant’s costs order (DCO) from the court may claim payment direct from CCU.

If your claim is under £2,000 excluding VAT and disbursements such as solicitor’s travel expenses or expert fees you should complete form DCO1. Form DCO1 must be emailed to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

You will need to provide supporting documentation with your completed claim form. This video on the Legal Aid Learning Website (https://legalaidlearning.justice.gov.uk/how-to-complete-the-dco-fastrak-claim-form/) explains what you must provide and how to complete your DCO1 claim form.

Claims above £2,000 should be claimed using form DCO2. Form DCO2 must be emailed to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Your solicitor’s attendance notes (the records made by a solicitor to record discussions, events and other work where a fee is charged) must be provided with your DCO2 claim, along with all other mandatory documentation. Mandatory documentation is listed on the DCO2 form.

Claims should be submitted within 3 months of the conclusion of your case.

Please note that CCU can only assess and pay claims for legal expenses. The court is responsible for assessing and paying claims for personal expenses. Claims for personal expenses should be submitted to the court that heard your case.

Where defence costs are claimed under a DCO made in proceedings commencing either in the magistrates’ court or in the Crown Court on or after 1 October 2012, costs are payable only in accordance with the rates and scales set by the Lord Chancellor in the legal costs documents. This may mean your claim is reduced in line with these rates.

If you were partially acquitted, your claim will be apportioned accordingly.

Once your claim has been received, you will receive an email requesting your bank details for payment to be made directly into your account. If you do not provide bank details, we will send a cheque to the address you provided on the claim form.