The Lord Chancellor, David Gauke has pledged an extra £8m for the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS).
Speaking at the annual Bar Conference at the weekend, Gauke said the funds were in addition to the £15m promised in August for the fee scheme, bringing the total extra funds to £23m.
‘This extra money will be mostly targeted at cases conducted by junior advocates to support continued investment in the profession,’ he said.
‘We will also bring a proposed 1% increase to all fees forward so that the rise comes into effect alongside the planned introduction of the new scheme, rather than from April next year.’ He hinted at further increases, stating ‘there is scope to further improve the way criminal advocates are paid’.
Bar chair Andrew Walker QC welcomed the extra funding.
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