A change of approach to the assessment of ‘local travel’ claims takes effect on 1 September 2014.

This means that for funding granted on or after 1 September 2014 local travel expenses will generally not be payable.

‘Local travel’ is considered to be travel within a 10 mile radius of the court.

Claim assessments

Any claims for travel expenses such as mileage, taxi fares and train fares will be assessed.

There are no changes to payment for time spent travelling and this can be claimed within the rules of the fee schemes. For example, the exceptional travel bolt on within the Family Advocacy Scheme.

Payment will be made along with any incidental expenses such as car parking charges.

This applies to both legal help and certificated matters.

An update about the timing of this change and discussions with your rep bodies was published on 22 May 2014.

Further information

Funding and costs assessment – to download cost assessment guidance and electronic handbook

Contracts and tenders

Civil forms: controlled work claims

Practice Direction 47: paragraph 5.22 (3) for confirmation of the rule on local travel expenses

Update on local travel claims: 22 May news story