The Criminal Defence Service (Information Requests) (Prescribed Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations 2010
These Regulations amend the Criminal Defence Service (Information Requests) (Prescribed Benefits) Regulations 2009, which prescribe those benefits about which information may be sought from the Secretary of State in order to facilitate the making of decisions about an individual’s financial eligibility for publicly funded representation in criminal cases in magistrates’ courts. These Regulations provide that the same information may be sought in relation to the making of an order requiring the individual to pay a contribution to the costs of representation in the Crown Court (regulation 3). This provision is consequent on an amendment to the provisions on contribution orders in the Access to Justice Act 1999 made by section 151 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. The Regulations also prescribe those benefits about which information may be sought from the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (regulation 4), consequent on the amendments made by section 151.