These figures must be interpreted carefully and should not be taken to represent thepersonal earnings of Alexander Cameron QC and Oliver Blunt QC. There are a number of reasons for this.
1.
The amounts paid may represent payments for work covering many years, for a variety of cases. The amount an individual receives in any year fluctuateswidely, and is to a large extent due to the variety of payment processes andschemes used by the Legal Services Commission and the Courts.Fluctuations could also be attributed to legacy payments from cases paidunder the old system of individual case assessment where payments weremade once the case had finished, prior to the introduction of VHCC (very highcost case) contracts.
2.
The amount attributed to a barrister may include payments subsequentlymade to other barristers as remuneration for work carried out on behalf of thenamed barrister. Conversely, the figures exclude payments to the namedbarrister when they have carried out work on behalf of a colleague.
3.
All the figures listed are inclusive of VAT as paid, and disbursements incurred(e.g. travelling). Individuals must pay that VAT to HM Revenue & Customs.
4.
Barristers pay a percentage of their fees towards professional overheads.Additionally, barristers face the same expenses as any other self employedperson, including income tax and National Insurance contributions.
5.
Payments are made only after claims are scrutinised by the Legal ServicesCommission or the Courts, and where necessary adjusted. The LegalServices Commission and the Courts may make payments in a differentfinancial year after a case has concluded.
6.
For the CDS, not all payments are recorded centrally in a way that can beattributed to a barrister. Also not all payments made to barristers are recordedin the database used to compile the list. These include manual legal aidpayments and a small number of bills paid on account and payments made inthe high court. Therefore, it is possible that the list could change in futurefollowing the inclusion of such payments in light of further information andsubsequent verification.As part of our obligations under the FOIA, the Ministry of Justice has an independent reviewprocess. If you are dissatisfied, you may write to request an internal review. The internalreview will be carried out by someone who did not make the original decision, and they willre-assess how the Department handled the original request.If you wish to request an internal review, please write or send an email to the Data Accessand Compliance Unit within two calendar months of the date of this letter, at the followingaddress:Data Access and Compliance UnitInformation DirectorateMinistry of Justice6
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Floor, Post point 6.24102 Petty France
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