Documents and supporting evidence can now be uploaded when you make your prior authority request for costs such as expert witnesses.

This new feature is an improvement on the previous process when working in the Client and Cost Management System (CCMS).

The previous process meant submitting a request and then receiving a notification known as a ‘documents required action’. But by taking advantage of the new feature you can avoid this stage in the process.

What happens if no document is uploaded?

You can still make your prior request in line with the previous process. It just means that you will be sent a ‘document request’.

Which documents should be uploaded?

Below is a list of relevant documents:

1. court order allowing the assessment – expert or other expense prior authority

2. expert estimate – expert or other expense prior authority

3. letter of Instruction – expert or other expense prior authority

4. other parties’ certificate references – expert or other expense prior authority

5. psychologist/psychiatric report on the client – intermediary prior authority

6. counsel advice or narrative on level of representation – counsel prior authority

Which file types can be uploaded?

The following file types can be uploaded to CCMS:

Further information

Quick guides: managing live cases – to download ‘Prior Authority’ guidance document

Published 31 October 2018

Clarification is available on the Client and Cost Management System (CCMS) website about dual-stage emergency applications following collaborative working with providers.

This is in the form of an in-depth article called ‘nullification and dual-stage emergency applications’.

It is based on ideas put forward at some of our regular meetings of the Process Efficiency Team (PET).

This is an initiative that brings us together with practitioner groups and allows us to swap ideas and develop solutions to civil processing issues.

Why are you doing this now?

We want to:

• clarify the evidence requirements

• help providers avoid the risk of nullification

• explain what to do if you think a certificate has been nullified incorrectly

Processing improvements

Meanwhile, we are working with providers on making improvements to the dual-stage emergency application process. When these are introduced we will make an announcement on GOV.UK.

Single and dual-stage applications

Emergency applications are made when there is no time to make a full application. The initial emergency application is then amended to substantive at a later date.

Where possible a single-stage emergency application should be submitted.

The dual stage application process gives you a period where further emergency amendments can be made once the initial emergency certificate has been granted.

Further information

CCMS news: nullification and dual-stage emergency applications

CCMS quick guides: initial applications – to download ‘emergencies and delegated functions’

Civil Legal Aid (Procedure) Regulations 2012 Section 52

BIT@justice.gov.uk – contact the Business Improvement Team with enquiries

Today the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer addressed around 150 Chairs and Chief Executives of UK businesses and business group leaders about this week’s Budget and progress in the Brexit negotiations.

The Prime Minister opened the event by saying that, thanks to the hard work and sacrifices made by the British people since the financial crisis, the public finances are in much better health. She explained that the government will continue to take a balanced approach. This has enabled the government to make important spending decisions in this Budget to invest in public services, boost living standards, and support business as we build a new economy for a post-Brexit Britain.

She set out that the government would work to build a Britain that would be unequivocally pro-business through enhancing competitiveness, helping businesses plan for the future, and using the modern Industrial Strategy to create the right environment for businesses to thrive. She noted the importance of working closely with business to achieve this and ensure that the UK continues to lead the world in terms of innovation.

The Prime Minister then provided an update on progress in the Brexit negotiations, before the Chancellor addressed the group about the broader state of the economy and his approach to this week’s Budget.

The Chancellor spoke about the resilience of the British economy, noting the growth in the number of jobs in the economy. He spoke about the productivity challenge and acknowledged that the government had a role to help rectify this, including through driving the R&D agenda and ensuring that benefits were spread out across the whole of the UK.

The businesses present welcomed the opportunity to speak to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor and feedback directly on the Budget. Business leaders asked specific questions on the Budget such as the Digital Services Tax and the apprenticeship levy, and broader questions on the Brexit negotiations and preparedness.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark has appointed Hunada Nouss as a new non-executive director to the [Met Office[(https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/met-office) Board. Hunada Nouss attended her first meeting on 1 October 2018 and replaces Dame Mary Keegan, who stood down at the end of her term in August 2018. Hunada Nouss will also chair the Board’s Audit and Risk Assurance Committee.

Led by an independent, non-executive Chair, the Met Office Board’s role is to support and challenge the Executive team and carefully scrutinise its proposals and the organisation’s performance in relation to setting and implementing the Met Office Corporate Plan and strategy. Board members are appointed by government following an open recruitment process.

Hunada Nouss is currently Council member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at City, University of London and Board member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Education and Skills Funding Agency. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

The Met Office is the UK’s National Meteorological Service, providing weather and climate-related services to government departments, the public, broadcasters, Armed Forces, civil aviation, shipping, industry, agriculture and commerce. It is also responsible for the UK’s National Severe Weather Warning Service.

The Met Office is an Executive Agency, and Trading Fund, of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.