The Government has increased rates for advocates on very high-cost criminal cases (VHCC) following crisis talks after a majority of barristers boycotted the panel over poor fee arrangements.

As a result of talks between the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the Bar Council, the Law Society and the Legal Services Commission (LSC), hourly rates for a QC or senior solicitor have increased from £145 to £152.50, while a QCs rate of £476 for each day spent in court has risen to £500.