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@Anonymous; Commented on: 17 September 2018 13:53 GMT

"...Anon 0853 - The QC was obviously instructed to defend the firm against the making of a wasted costs order. .."

Can we have confirmation from someone on this please ?

Counsels Fees were £15,000. For a Sentencing hearing they would be perhaps £2500 for silk. So the additional costs do not add up. An application to the Court to prevent a Wasted Costs Order then to the QBD Case Stated would cost £7500 max.

So look again at the article:

"....The defendant pleaded guilty to multiple charges and was committed to Snaresbrook Crown Court for sentence. ...."

So far so good. They can bill the Duty Fees.

"....The firm requested an adjournment pending the outcome of its legal aid application. ..."

When? That would be at the 14 or 21 day period after Committal.

14 or 21 days to get NI details? It suggest either ghosting was going on or purported 'Crim' retention at all costs. When I was training the Clerks used fags for this purpose of course.

"...Later that week, the firm informed the court that it would not be able to represent the defendant any further due to being unable to progress the application without an NI number. After sentencing the defendant last Monday, His Honour Judge Murray Shanks told David Hislop QC, representing Hussein Solicitors: ‘I still don’t understand. Why could they not have got his national insurance number on the morning of the [adjourned sentencing hearing] having sent someone to represent him?’ .."
No I can't either HHJ Murray. But the wasted costs would be all of £250 I think the CPS pay standing Counsel (for Mags Appeals each month for example).

This doesn't add up n my mind.