Significant Rise in AGFS Fees: What You Need to Know About Upcoming Changes

The statutory instrument (SI) that implements modifications to the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS) has been officially laid. These changes will take effect for cases with a representation order issued on or after 28 July 2026.

Details of the Fee Increases

The newly introduced statutory instrument outlines several key changes to the AGFS, including:

• an increase in the fixed fee for additional preparation from £62 to £81;
• the inclusion of the additional preparation fee for cases concluded by guilty pleas;
• a reduction in the minimum number of trial days required to qualify for a wasted preparation claim, decreasing from five days to two.

Rationale Behind the Changes

These amendments are part of a comprehensive reform initiative targeting the AGFS. While most of the proposed changes will undergo public consultation, the adjustments specified in this particular instrument are being expedited due to their significance to the criminal Bar. This proactive approach is the result of extensive consultations with the legal community, particularly through the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board (CLAAB).

By lowering the minimum trial length required for claiming wasted preparation from five days to two, the eligibility criteria have been broadened, allowing more cases to make claims for the fee. This adjustment ensures that advocates receive fair compensation for their preparatory efforts and promotes thorough preparation across a wider array of cases.

The extension of the additional preparation fee to guilty plea cases guarantees that advocates are compensated for their preparatory work, regardless of the outcome of the case. The increase in the fee aims to more accurately reflect the volume and complexity of the work carried out by advocates.

Accessing Further Information

For comprehensive details regarding the new fee rates, interested parties can refer to the amending legislation and the updated Crown Court Fee Guidance, which are available via the relevant links. Additionally, the AGFS calculator will be updated in due course to reflect these changes.

Claiming the Additional Preparation Fee

Advocates wishing to claim the additional preparation fee may do so by following these steps:

1. Navigate to the ‘miscellaneous fees’ or ‘misc fees’ section within the Claim for Crown Court Defence (CCCD) billing tool.
2. Open the dropdown menu to access the fee list.
3. Select ‘additional preparation fee’ from the options provided.
4. Complete the claim submission process as instructed.

It is essential to note that the update to the CCCD system to facilitate the claiming of the increased additional preparation fee, including for guilty plea cases, may not be operational immediately from 28 July 2026. Should this be the case, further guidance will be provided on how to submit claims in the interim.

Regulatory References

For more information, please consult the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and the accompanying Crown Court Fee Guidance.