What are the current LAA hourly rates for expert witnesses in 2025/26?

The Legal Aid Agency hourly rates for expert witnesses in criminal proceedings are set by the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 and updated periodically. For 2025/26, consultant psychiatrists and neurologists attract £90 per hour; clinical psychologists and drug and alcohol specialists attract £72 per hour; forensic scientists and CCTV experts attract £80 per hour. Travel time is remunerated at 50% of the preparation rate. These rates apply to preparation, report writing, and court attendance.

Do I need prior authority before instructing an expert witness on legal aid?

Prior authority is required when the total estimated expert fees exceed the standard LAA limit for the case type. For Crown Court cases, prior authority is required when expert costs exceed £100 for a single expert. The application is made via the PA1 form through CCMS before the expert commences work. Expert Witness UK provides a written fee estimate and expert CV promptly to support your prior authority application.

How long does a prior authority application take?

The LAA typically processes standard prior authority applications within 5 working days of submission through CCMS. Complex applications, or those where the LAA requests further information, may take up to 15 working days. Expert Witness UK provides all supporting documentation — including the expert CV, fee schedule, and justification letter — to minimise delays.

Can expert witness fees be claimed as a disbursement under the Graduated Fee Scheme?

Yes. Expert witness fees are claimed as disbursements and are not included within the Graduated Fee Scheme (GFS) fixed fee. They are claimed separately on the final bill. Prior authority must be obtained before instructing the expert if the fees exceed the standard limit. The LAA will not fund expert fees retrospectively without prior authority.

What is included in an expert witness fee?

An expert witness fee covers initial case review (reviewing papers and instructions), the clinical assessment or examination, report preparation, any addendum or supplementary reports, attendance at joint expert meetings under CrimPR Rule 19.6, and court attendance. Travel time and waiting time at court are charged separately at 50% of the hourly rate. Expert Witness UK provides a fully itemised fee estimate before any work commences.

What happens if the LAA refuses a prior authority application?

If the LAA refuses a prior authority application, you may request a review within 14 days of the decision. The review is conducted by a different LAA caseworker. If the review is also refused, you may appeal to an independent costs assessor. Expert Witness UK can provide additional supporting documentation — including a detailed justification of why the expert is required and evidence of the expert's qualifications — to support a review or appeal.

Are expert witness fees different for private clients compared to legal aid?

Yes. For privately funded cases, expert fees are agreed directly between the instructing solicitor and the expert, without the LAA hourly rate cap. Private rates for consultant psychiatrists typically range from £250 to £400 per hour; for clinical psychologists, £180 to £300 per hour. The total report fee depends on the complexity of the case and the number of hours required. Expert Witness UK provides a fixed-fee estimate for straightforward assessments and an hourly rate estimate for complex cases.

Can Expert Witness UK provide a fee estimate before I formally instruct?

Yes. Expert Witness UK provides a written fee estimate and expert CV promptly upon receiving your initial enquiry. The estimate is fully itemised — covering preparation, assessment, report, and court attendance — and is provided at no cost. For legal aid cases, the estimate is formatted to support a prior authority application to the LAA.

Quality Node 3LAA Rates Accepted2025/26 Rates

Expert Witness Fees & LAA Rates

LAA hourly rates, prior authority guidance, and fee estimates for all seven expert witness disciplines in criminal proceedings across England and Wales. All rates reflect the 2025/26 Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations.

LAA Rates Accepted

All 7 disciplines

24h

Fee Estimate

CV & quote guaranteed

Prior Authority

Documentation provided

Disciplines

Psychiatry to CCTV

What Are Expert Witness Fees?

Expert witness fees are the costs charged by a qualified professional for providing an independent opinion on a matter within their specialist expertise. In criminal proceedings in England and Wales, these fees are governed by the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 when the instructing solicitor holds a legal aid certificate.

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) sets hourly rate caps for each expert discipline. Fees above the standard limit require a prior authority application before the expert commences work. For privately funded cases, fees are agreed directly between the solicitor and the expert without an LAA cap.

Expert Witness UK accepts LAA rates across all seven disciplines. A written fee estimate — formatted to support a prior authority application — is provided promptly upon your initial enquiry, at no cost.

LAA Hourly Rates by Discipline — 2025/26

Rates set under the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013. All rates are exclusive of VAT.

Discipline	Preparation	Report	Court	Travel	Notes
Consultant Psychiatrist	£90.00	£90.00	£90.00	£45.00	Section 12 approved; forensic psychiatry may attract enhanced rate
Clinical Psychologist	£72.00	£72.00	£72.00	£36.00	HCPC registered; DClinPsy or equivalent required
Consultant Neurologist	£90.00	£90.00	£90.00	£45.00	GMC specialist register; ABN membership preferred
Forensic Scientist / Pathologist	£80.00	£80.00	£80.00	£40.00	FSR Act 2021 compliance; CSFS or FRCPath preferred
Drug & Alcohol Specialist	£72.00	£72.00	£72.00	£36.00	GMC or HCPC registered; FSAM or SoHT membership
General Medical Practitioner / Consultant	£72.00	£72.00	£72.00	£36.00	GMC registered; relevant Royal College membership
CCTV / Digital Forensics Expert	£80.00	£80.00	£80.00	£40.00	CSFS or BCS; NPCC APP on Digital Forensics compliance

Source: Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/435), as amended. Rates subject to periodic review by the LAA.

Related Subtopics

LAA Prior Authority

A Legal Aid Agency pre-approval for expert witness costs above the standard limit, obtained before instructing the expert.

CCMS

Client and Cost Management System — the LAA's online portal for submitting prior authority applications and managing legal aid costs.

Graduated Fee Scheme (GFS)

The fixed-fee structure under which most Crown Court defence work is remunerated; expert fees are claimed separately as disbursements.

Disbursement

A cost incurred on behalf of a client and paid by the solicitor, including expert witness fees, which is then claimed from the LAA.

Hourly Rate Cap

The maximum hourly rate the LAA will fund for a given expert discipline, as set out in the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013.

Joint Instruction

An instruction to a single expert by both prosecution and defence, or by two parties in civil proceedings, to reduce costs and avoid conflicting reports.

Fixed Fee Report

An agreed flat fee for a defined scope of work, often used for straightforward assessments where the report scope is clearly defined in advance.

Cancellation Policy

The terms under which a cancellation fee is payable if instructions are withdrawn after the expert has commenced work, typically after initial case review.