Page:Public Defenders Act 2022.pdf/9

Rh ::(ii) it is necessary or expedient to exclude or remove the solicitor from the panel for any other reason.

(2) Where a solicitor is aggrieved by a decision of the Chief Public Defender under subsection (1), the solicitor may appeal to the General Division of the High Court against the decision.

(3) The General Division of the High Court may confirm or quash the decision appealed against or may substitute that decision as the General Division of the High Court thinks fit, and the decision of the General Division of the High Court is final.

Fees for solicitors

6.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) and regulations made under section 25, the Chief Public Defender may pay to a solicitor any fees agreed between the Chief Public Defender and the solicitor for any work mentioned in section 4(1)(a) or (b) done by the solicitor.

(2) In determining the fees to be agreed with a solicitor, the Chief Public Defender must have regard to whether the fees are reasonable and proportionate taking into account all relevant circumstances, including but not limited to—
 * (a) the complexity, difficulty or novelty of the issues or questions of law involved;
 * (b) the skill, specialised knowledge and responsibility required of, and the time and labour expended by, the solicitor;
 * (c) the number of charges brought against the applicant for criminal defence aid or the aided accused person, and the severity of the punishment for the offences concerned; and
 * (d) the requirement to maintain the accessibility and affordability of criminal defence aid taking into account the means and other circumstances of individuals eligible for criminal defence aid.

Protection from personal liability

7.—(1) Subsection (2) applies where an act is done or an omission is made—