Legal Aid Taxation/Cost Reduction

Isaac Shaffer made this Freedom of Information request to Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service

This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.

Dear Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service,

Where publicly funded costs are claimed by a legal representative as under a legal aid certificate in Civil Judicial Review matters, I understand that these costs are then reviewed by the Court; and, where relevant reduced accordingly to what is deemed reasonable/appropriate.

On this matter, and for the period of 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 ('the relevant period') I request the following information:

1. What was the total amount of costs claimed by legal representatives as before taxation/evaluation? (i.e. as a sum in HK $).

2. What was the total amount of all costs subsequently granted/awarded after taxation/evaluation? (HK$)

3. What is the total amount of all costs reduced by the Court following taxation/evaluation? (HK$)

4. What is the average amount (as a percentage) of reduction/s of costs as claimed, following evaluation/taxation by the Court? (as a %).

5. What is the average period of time taken between costs being claimed and the final determination of what costs are to be awarded (i.e. final taxation/evaluation - including any appeals etc.? ( in days/working days)); including:

(i) What was the shortest time taken?
(ii) What was the longest period taken? (Where both in days).

Where relevant please provide the above as final figures where resolved after any associated appeal on matters of costs has been finally resolved/determined.

Yours faithfully,

Isaac Shaffer

Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service

Dear Mr Shaffer,

I refer to your following email. Please be informed that this department
provides support service to advisory bodies which give independent advice
to the Government on the principles and practices governing pay, conditions
of service and salary structure of the non-directorate civil service, the
disciplined services, the directorate and the judicial officers
respectively. We therefore do not have the information requested.

Regards,
Ms Joey Tang
for Secretary General,
Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service
and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service

From: Isaac Shaffer <[FOI #394 email]>
To: FOI requests at Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on
Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service
<[Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service request email]>,
Date: 12/07/2019 19:49
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Legal Aid Taxation/Cost
Reduction

Dear Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and
Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service,

Where publicly funded costs are claimed by a legal representative as under
a legal aid certificate in Civil Judicial Review matters, I understand that
these costs are then reviewed by the Court; and, where relevant reduced
accordingly to what is deemed reasonable/appropriate.

On this matter, and for the period of 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018
('the relevant period') I request the following information:

1. What was the total amount of costs claimed by legal representatives as
before taxation/evaluation? (i.e. as a sum in HK $).

2. What was the total amount of all costs subsequently granted/awarded
after taxation/evaluation? (HK$)

3. What is the total amount of all costs reduced by the Court following
taxation/evaluation? (HK$)

4. What is the average amount (as a percentage) of reduction/s of costs as
claimed, following evaluation/taxation by the Court? (as a %).

5. What is the average period of time taken between costs being claimed and
the final determination of what costs are to be awarded (i.e. final
taxation/evaluation - including any appeals etc.? ( in days/working days));
including:

(i) What was the shortest time taken?
(ii) What was the longest period taken? (Where both in days).

Where relevant please provide the above as final figures where resolved
after any associated appeal on matters of costs has been finally
resolved/determined.

Yours faithfully,

Isaac Shaffer

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