News story: LCV2017: high-performance carbon-reduction sports car unveiled

HIPERCAR – which stands for High Performance Carbon Reduction – is a project by Ariel Motor Company, Delta Motorsport and Equipmake to develop an ultra-high performance sports car with advanced carbon reduction technologies.

Phase one results were made public for the first time today at Cenex-LCV. A number of prototypes are on show. This work was supported through a £2 million grant from Innovate UK.

The model sports car will be built at Ariel’s facility in Somerset.

Bridging the route to market

Simon Edmonds, Director – Manufacturing and Materials, Innovate UK said:

Routes to market for new technologies – especially in automotive – are very challenging. Projects we fund like HIPERCAR bridge that gap and aid wider commercial exploitation in mass market vehicles in the future.

This exciting project pulls through a number of novel low emission technologies developed by UK based SMEs and deploys these in this stunning vehicle for the first time.

Anchoring low carbon tech in the UK

Simon Saunders, Director of Ariel said:

Developing another of the fastest cars in the world is important for Ariel, but anchoring the technology in this country and building a British supply chain is vital for the economy.

The government assistance through Innovate UK to us and other contributing projects has been vital in developing the many technologies and components featured in the vehicle.

This is an extremely advanced, cutting-edge car that brings together UK developed technology in every aspect of its design. The fact that it has been developed in the UK and supported by UK government agencies shows just how important the vehicle and the technology is to the UK automotive industry.

HIPERCAR prototype is unveiled at LCV2017.

Looking to the future

In addition, the project has received funding for its next phase from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), worth £6 million. This will enable the team to carry out further testing, development and production.

Jon Beasley, Director of Technology and Projects at the APC said:

The HIPERCAR project is a great example of how smaller companies and members of the UK’s niche vehicle network are creating opportunities to adopt, and bring to market, cutting-edge low-carbon technology through their future vehicle programmes.

This is one of a number of projects in APC’s portfolio that is significantly reducing CO2 and safeguarding or creating jobs, in addition to developing UK automotive capability. APC8, the next round of funding, is now open.



News story: Venturefest Scotland: business growth and innovation support

If you’re a high-growth small business or ambitious innovator you could benefit from attending this free business innovation event.

Venturefest Scotland gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet, collaborate and share expertise with other businesses and investors. It will take place on Wednesday 20 September 2017 at the Glasgow Science Centre.

Innovate UK is supporting the event. Entry is free.

Free business advice

Delegates at Venturefest Scotland can access a meet the expert programme to help them progress their innovation. You can book appointments with experts in tax, intellectual property, design, marketing, training, digital and finance.

There will also be expert speakers and workshop sessions on topics such as:

  • uncovering the R&D tax relief hiding in your business
  • how to hire for growth
  • prototyping and making your idea come to life
  • extracting value from your data
  • legal basics, including corporate and intellectual property
  • ways to raise finance or access grant funding
  • how to protect your brand, including trade marks, designs and logos
  • how the circular economy can unlock your potential for sustainable business growth

Innovate UK’s Deputy Chief Executive, Kevin Baughan, is a keynote speaker.

You will also have the chance to view Innovate UK’s infocus women in innovation photographic exhibition. This highlights female role models and aims to change perceptions of what it looks like to be a female innovator.

About the Venturefest Network

Innovate UK and the Knowledge Transfer Network launched the Venturefest Network in 2014. Its aim is to strengthen connectivity between innovators, investors and entrepreneurs.



News story: Crime news: changes to defendants’ costs order Fastrak claims

Starting on 11 September 2017 Fastrak bills for a defendant’s cost order should be submitted by email.

You should start sending your bills for defendants’ costs order (DCO) Fastrak work to this email address from 11 September 2017: dcofastrak@legalaid.gsi.gov.uk.

Using this mailbox will allow us to assess your claim more quickly.

What to include with your claim

In order for us to assess your claim the electronic bundle must include:

  1. Fastrak POCA cover sheet
  2. certified and signed 5911 claim form
  3. copy of DCO made by the court
  4. copies of relevant travel or disbursement receipts e.g. expert invoices, counsel fee notes, travel or parking receipts where the total exceeds £20
  5. appropriate evidence of retainer’s contract i.e. client care letter and any amendments
  6. client’s authority to pay costs to solicitors

An electronic DCO Fastrak cover sheet will be sent by email to all providers who have previously made DCO claims.

Copies of the form may also be obtained by emailing: dcofastrak@legalaid.gsi.gov.uk



News story: Crime news: change of address for cost judge appeals

New address from 11 September 2017 for notices of appeals to a cost judge for graduated fee scheme work.

Advocates and litigators should use a new address from 11 September for notices of appeals to a cost judge relating to graduated fee scheme work.

Your appeal papers should in future go to this address instead of the graduated fee team in Nottingham:

Central Legal Team
7th Floor, Zone C (7.39)
Legal Aid Agency
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ

Notices already sent to Nottingham will be forwarded to Petty France.

What the regulations say

These appeals are covered by the Criminal Remuneration Regulations. Advocates and litigators are allowed to challenge a redetermination decision on their fees under the Graduated Fee Scheme to a cost judge.

Regulations 29(3) and 29(4) require the appellant to serve a copy of the notice of appeal and any relevant supporting documents on the LAA.

In cases where electronic evidence is in dispute this would include a copy of the disc(s) or USB(s) containing the evidence being claimed for.



News story: Crime news: digital form for Proceeds of Crime Act claims

Starting 11 September 2017 all Fastrak and non-Fastrak Proceeds of Crime Act bills should be submitted using a digital claim form.

Electronic claim forms are being introduced on 11 September 2017 for all Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) bills.

This change will allow POCA claims to be assessed faster. It follows on from the introduction of email submissions for POCA work in January 2017.

The introduction of the electronic claim forms will reduce the number of supporting documents required with your claim and improve the quality of determination notes you receive from us.

Email addresses will remain the same:

  • poca@legalaid.gsi.gov.uk
  • pocafastrak@legalaid.gsi.gov.uk

Fastrak and non-Fastrak forms

There are separate claim forms for Fastrak and non-Fastrak claims. Copies of the claim forms and guidance on their completion will be sent to all providers who have previously made claims by email.

Copies of the claim forms may also be obtained by emailing: poca@legalaid.gsi.gov.uk