Not sure how to deal with your High Costs Cases now that the new rules are in place? Fear not, we can help
As of 01 October 2015, the new rules for High Costs Care cases are in place. Here at John M Hayes, we are fully equipped for the changes and are on hand to provide any assistance you may need, be it just a telephone query or preparing a case plan and dealing with the file for you from start to finish.
Any care cases registered as high costs from October, will now be subject to the revised CCFS rules and a CCFS form will need to be submitted to the VHCC team at the LAA, as opposed to a Case Plan. You will no longer be able to submit a fully costed traditional case plan for a care matter without permission from the LAA. Such permission will only be granted if it can be shown that your profit costs at hourly rates will exceed the relevant CCFS model by 30%. You will also need to set out the circumstances leading to the exceptional costs. We are happy to assist you in these calculations to ensure you are making the most out of your cases financially and allow you to focus on the running of the cases themselves.
The relevant CCFS rates and fees remain unchanged, as do the rules for two Counsel cases.
These new rules are not all bad news. The strict 4 week deadlines for submission have now been lifted, with there being no requirement to submit the CCFS form to the LAA until you require the costs limitation to be increased to allow for payments on account. Further, CCFS fees can now be claimed for certain substantive conferences and writing written submissions may also attract an event fee. It is envisaged that the approval of a CCFS form will be a swifter process than that we are currently used to.
Think you are up to speed? Take our short Quiz on VHCC October Changes and find out!
Back to summary