Escape Fee Calculator
Calculate whether your police station attendance qualifies for escape fees under the harmonised fee structure (from 22 December 2025).
The fixed fee for police station attendance is £320.00 (all schemes). If your calculated profit costs at hourly rates exceed the £650.00 escape threshold, you claim the full hourly amount instead. Rates are from Schedule 4 of the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013, as amended by SI 2025/1251.
Case Details
Attendance: £54.57/hr · Travel/Waiting: £30.22/hr
Total time at the station (consultation, interview, waiting for decisions etc.)
Total travel time to and from the station
Waiting time at the station (if recorded separately from attendance)
Enter your time and click Calculate to see whether the case escapes.
Hourly Rate Reference (from 22 December 2025)
| Category | London | National |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance Rates | ||
| Own or Duty Solicitor | £58.97 | £54.57 |
| Duty Solicitor (Unsocial Hours) | £72.46 | £72.46 |
| Duty Solicitor — Serious Offence | £68.21 | £62.96 |
| Duty Solicitor — Serious Offence (Unsocial) | £83.95 | £83.95 |
| Travel & Waiting Rates | ||
| Own Solicitor | £30.22 | £30.22 |
| Duty Solicitor | £58.97 | £54.57 |
| Duty Solicitor (Unsocial Hours) | £72.46 | £72.46 |
Source: Schedule 4, paragraph 2(3) of the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013, as amended by SI 2025/1251. Fixed Fee: £320.00 (all schemes). Escape Threshold: £650.00 (all schemes). Mileage (45p/25p per mile) is a separate disbursement and is not included in the escape fee calculation.
Important Notes
- ✅Record time meticulously: The escape fee calculation depends entirely on accurate, contemporaneous time recording
- ✅Fixed fee OR hourly — never both: If costs exceed £650, you claim the full hourly amount. If not, you claim the £320 fixed fee
- ✅Mileage is separate: Mileage at 45p/mile (first 10,000) or 25p/mile (thereafter) is claimed as a disbursement, not part of profit costs
- ✅UFN date matters: These rates apply to cases with a UFN on or after 22 December 2025. Earlier cases use the old scheme-specific rates
- ✅VAT: VAT-registered providers add 20% VAT to the claim. Non-VAT-registered providers claim the net amount only
Police Station Rates
Complete rate guide 2025/26
Forms Library
CRM forms & documents
Claiming & Billing Guide
Detailed wiki articles
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for guidance only. Always refer to the current Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 (as amended) and LAA guidance for definitive rates. Rates shown are from SI 2025/1251 for cases with UFN on or after 22 December 2025. Consult your supervisor or contract manager for complex claims.