Guidance

Capture Redress Scheme: legal costs framework

Updated 11 March 2026

The government will pay the legal costs of applicants who are eligible for the Capture Redress Scheme (the scheme), in line with the conditions set out in this framework. 

Legal representatives that have signed up to the framework have agreed not to pass on any costs to applicants themselves.

This framework explains: 

• the costs the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will pay to the legal representative per eligible application 
• the costs DBT will pay to legal representatives whose clients make an appeal

Instructing a legal representative: guidance for applicants

This framework includes a list of legal representatives that have agreed to work within the terms of this costs framework. This means that they will not make any deductions from the financial redress settlement you receive.

Legal representatives under this framework will not charge any costs to the applicant, even if the applicant is deemed ineligible for the scheme. The government will pay legal representatives directly for any costs incurred in line with this framework. 

You can instruct a legal representative not on the list if you prefer. However, the government will not pay their fees if your application is deemed ineligible for the scheme. 

If you would like to instruct a legal representative that is not on this list, DBT strongly advises that you check that they’re happy to operate within the terms of the costs framework before instructing them. If you instruct a legal representative who does not work within our costs framework, they could seek to recover any fees incurred in excess of the costs framework from you, the applicant. 

If your application is deemed eligible, DBT will cover their legal fees up to the amount listed in this costs framework.

Guidance for legal representatives on applying to join the costs framework

If a legal representative wishes to apply to join the costs framework, they must email captureredress@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

Legal representatives that wish to apply to join the framework must be regulated by: 

• the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) 
• the Law Society of Scotland 
• the Law Society of Northern Ireland 

Once the legal representative has been approved to join the framework, DBT will add the legal representative’s name and contact details to the list in the framework. 

Legal representatives not on the cost framework must ensure that clients applying to the scheme understand any impact this may have on them. This includes explaining any liability for fees. Doing so is in line with your professional obligation to be transparent about cost. 

The following ‘process for legal representatives outside the costs framework’ section explains the process if you do not join the framework, including billing requirements and how legal costs will be assessed.

Costs framework

The costs framework operates subject to the following. 

First, the applicant has to be deemed eligible to receive redress by DBT. This means that the applicant needs to meet the eligibility criteria, set out in the guidance for applicants. Legal representatives will not be able to claim costs where applicants are not eligible for the scheme.

Second, an additional allowance will be granted for legal representatives to support applicants through the appeals process where applicable. The additional allowance will be paid if one or both of the following conditions apply: 

• an eligibility review is requested and is successful, deeming the applicant eligible following review 
• the decision of the independent panel is challenged, and the appeal is granted by the chair of the independent panel, irrespective of the outcome of the appeal 

Claimable legal costs will be the following:

• claims without appeal: £9,000 (excluding VAT)
• claims that meet one or both of the criteria in relation to appeals set out above £12,000 (excluding VAT).

Commissioning experts

No expert reports will be required under the scheme. If an applicant wishes to instruct an expert in relation to their application, DBT will not reimburse or otherwise pay the costs of that expert.

Submitting costs to DBT

By the last working day of each calendar month, each legal representative should submit a schedule to captureredress@businessandtrade.gov.uk setting out all relevant invoices for that month. The invoices must include the applicant’s name and Unique Reference Number (URN).

DBT will aim to pay legal representatives these costs within 28 days of receiving the schedules.

Timing of payment

For those within the framework, claimable legal costs will be paid on two occasions.

Payment timescale	Payment amount
After eligibility of the applicant has been established	£6,000
At payment decision or when an appeal is granted	£3,000 or £6,000 (if the appeals criteria are met)

The second payment happens either when:

• the applicant accepts the initial payment amount decided by the independent panel 
• a request for appeal is granted by the chair of the independent panel 

Payable legal claims will be handled differently for those outside of the framework.

List of legal representatives who have agreed to this costs framework

The legal representatives listed below have agreed to work within the terms of this framework. 

Their inclusion does not indicate government endorsement. 

Applicants should carry out their own checks before deciding whether to instruct a legal representative.

Firm	Email	Contact
Bailoran Solicitors	jb@bailoransolicitors.com	John Bailes
Bhatia Best Solicitors	joseph.rahm@bhatiabest.co.uk	Joseph Rahm
Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors	postofficeclaims@hja.net	Brenel Menezes
Howe+Co Solicitors	help@howe.co.uk	David Enright
Hudgell Solicitors	nmh@hudgellsolicitors.co.uk	Neil Hudgell
Hunt Solicitors	info@huntsolicitors.com	Ciaran Mooney
Jung & Co Solicitors	law@jungsolicitors.com	I Gulati
Schofield Sweeney	stephenlewis@schofieldsweeney.co.uk	Stephen Lewis

Process for legal representatives outside the costs framework

The option to submit a claim for legal costs in line with the framework remains open to legal representatives that do not join the framework. However, different billing requirements will apply, and the benefits of the framework will not be available. 

DBT will only pay legal costs to legal representatives or entities that meet the same eligibility criteria as those on the framework. This means they must regulated by: 

• the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) 
• the Law Society of Scotland 
• the Law Society of Northern Ireland 

Entities that are not directly regulated but employ legal representatives who are may still be eligible. They must be able to guarantee that applicants will have direct access to those legal representatives and that those legal representatives will be responsible for providing legal advice. This includes, for example, direct access to barristers and law centres. 

DBT will not pay legal costs to representatives who are not directly regulated. 

The process includes the following principles: 

• DBT will not make any payment to a legal representative operating outside the framework before their client’s scheme claim is settled 
• DBT will require a full bill of costs to be submitted 
• DBT will not pay any costs that exceed the payment amount outlined in the legal costs framework. DBT may pay less depending on what is reasonable in the circumstances of the individual claim upon consideration of their bill. There is no financial advantage in not signing up to the framework 
• DBT will not make any commitment on turnaround time for reviewing the bill of costs and payment of fees – the interim payments on account of legal costs available under the framework will not apply 
• if DBT pays for their fees to any degree they must not charge their client for the same costs 

Committing to the legal costs framework provides clear benefits for legal representatives. It offers a fixed payment structure, removing the need for detailed billing.