NO COMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

No Comment covers every police station in England & Wales. Call us now on 07534 533 070.
We are always happy to help. If you need advice or assistance we are here for you.

Call 07534 533 070

No Comment Help Page
Every Police Station Every Day

07534 533 070
Do please get in touch if you need any help at any time. Below are the answers to issues that our users often ask us about. But if you need more assistance do not be shy. We always welcome feedback, queries and suggestions...

MENU
  1. Help for Reps
  2. Help for Firms
  3. Help for No Comment Staff

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

HELP FOR REPS MENU

    Working for No Comment
  1. Quick Start Guide
  2. Forms
  3. When Will I be Paid?
  4. Terms and Conditions
  5. Contacting No Comment
  6. Second Fees
  7. Second Interviews
  8. Rates of Pay

  9. The Portal
  10. Forgotten Username and Password
  11. ToolBox
  12. Finding a Job

  13. Writing Reports
  14. Covering Letters
  15. Results
  16. Mileage and Disbs
  17. DSCC References
  18. Custody Record Numbers
  19. Times
  20. Write Report
  21. Uploading Documents
  22. Edit Report
  23. Rep Invoice

  24. All My Jobs
  25. Understanding the List
  26. Reorder the List

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

QUICK START GUIDE

    INSTRUCTIONS
  1. We tend to instruct by text. Ignore the ones you cannot cover but text us if you want to cover the job.
  2. Keep us in the loop! If you are running late please let us know.
  3. If you need anything at any time please call us. We are here to help.
  4. Invoice, Copy Notes and Results to No Comment
  5. Hard Copy Notes to the firm by Post
    NOTES
  1. The job ain't finished tillthe notes are done. Do the notes immediatley!
  2. Login to NoComment.Law
  3. Click on 'All My Jobs'
  4. From the table click on the grey invoice button
  5. Enter your times, disbs and mileage and click Save Report
  6. Click Write Report. Complete the form and click Save Report.
  7. Print the Covering Letter
  8. Post the hard coopy notes to the firm.
  9. Click Write Invoice to create your invoice
  10. Thats it!
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Forms

You should always complete the online declaration form for all cleints and capture all the finacial information that used to go into the CDS14 & 15 in your notes. We would prefer you to use our forms. But we will always try to work our way around you. You can find all the forms here at NoComment.Law/forms
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

When Will I be Paid?

We pay as soon as we are in funds. None of these are terribly old but I will chase them up in any case. Across the board we average about 50 odd days from instruction to payment but obviously some firms pay quicker than others. Its all published on our site so that you are fully aware of what's going on. But if there are any issues do please feel free to contact us at any time.
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Terms and Conditions

You can read our Terms & Conditions here on https://www.nocomment.law/t&c but its all pretty straight forward stuff that you would expect. We are not a bunch of clipboard rule maniacs. If there are problems just call us.
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Contacting No Comment

You can contact No Comment in a variety of ways. We are always open and happy to hear from you:
Tel: 07534 533 070
Email: Mat@NoComment.Law
Web form: NoComment.Law/contact

No Comment Legal Services Ltd,
3 Rockleigh, Hertford,
Hertfordshire SG14 1LS
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Double Bubble - Can I Claim Two Fees?

Second Fees used to be very common but it is a great deal more difficult to get them these days.
Can you claim two fees? Probably not...

There is a great deal of confusion surrounding this issue. But its pretty straight forward now. Hopefully, we can try to make the position clear. In summary claiming a second fee is very, very rare.

RULE OF THUMB:
Put very simply a second police station fee will be payable only when there are:
TWO DISPOSALS AND
TWO DISTINCT MATTERS AND
TWO NECESSARY ATTENDANCES AND
TWO PERIODS OF DETENTION

THE RULES:
Under the General Crime Contract you would expect two fees to be payable where the matter would attract two distinct legal aid certificates. But the LAA do not assess bills as one would expect. The LAA guidance is pretty clear. As a starting point a second fee is only going to be paid where there were two distinct disposals. Where one matter is bailed and the other charged that will attract two bills. But the second fee only kicks in if there is a second attendance. The second attendance must be justified. If a client is to be rebailed or charged you cannot attend simply to claim a second fee. The second fee is only available where the second attendance is necessary. Neither NFA or caution are considered to be separate disposals.

THE LAA GUIDANCE:

The rules are contained in the Criminal Bills Assessment Manual. You can download the whole document here or just s5.9 which is the relevant section:





QUICK CHECK LIST:Below is a list of the situations where reps often think they are entitled to a second fee. Second fees are now rare. A second fee needs two attendances and two matters.
SCENARIO
One Continuous Period of Custody - NO
Second attendance during one continuous period of custody - NO
Second interview for a different matter during one continuous period of custody - NO
Second interview with a different police forces during one continuous period of custody - NO
Further arrested for new matters during one continuous period of custody - NO
Two Disposals but one attendance - NO
Two Disposals but one was NFA - NO
Two Disposals but one was a Caution - NO
Second attendance for charge only - NO
Second attendance for rebail only - NO
Second attendance for ID Capture only - NO
Second attendance for an interview for a separate matter - YES!

One continuous period of custody means the client was not released even if that means he was held overnight and was in custody over several dates. If your go to a second interview during that period there is no second fee. But you are still ethically obliged to attend. You cannot refuse to attend on a client under those circumstances. Our primary duty is always to the client not our wallets.

The Double Bubble campaign poster should help you and your colleages get to grips with the terms of the crime contract. Please feel free to download and distribute it.

SO WHAT CHANGED?:
We often hear reps complaining that a second fee should be payable as it has been paid under the same circumstances in the past. That is true. The Crime Contract has not changed much and second fees were relatively common until recently. But the contract was never uniformly applied across England & Wales. Different LAA areas always understood the contract in different ways. But since June 2018 the approach has been increasingly consistent. Second fees are now very rare.

The confusion amoungst solicitors and reps arises because the way the contract has been implemented by the LAA has developed over time. The LAA used to pay a second fee in a wide variety of circusmtatnces. Its just not paying them now. A second fee is only going to be paid where there are two disposal and two necessary attendances.

The LAA are clearly under pressure to spend less money. Legal Aid is harder to obtain at court and mileage claims are now scrutinised to a faintly ridiculous degree. This push to keep a lid on Legal Aid spending is not gonig to end any time soon.


JUSTIFIED & NECESSARY
Two bills can still be claimed but generally only if there are two attendances. The second needs to be a necessary and justified attendance. Clearly a second interview would be necesasry and justified. To attend a client for a second time for a rebail or charge is rarely necessary but it could be; justification would be that the client is vulnerable or you could not get the determination of the case in advance from the police.

BUT EVEN IF YOU CAN CLAIM...
Not only are the LAA simply not paying second fees but most firms are simply not claiming them.A word of warning: although you may think a second bill is appropriate your instructing solicitor may not actually claim it. The firm may agree with you in principal and still not claim a second fee. Much of a firm's billing is down to a its relationship with the LAA. Its a relationship they do not want to jeapardise. They are not going to sue the LAA. They are not going to argue for a second fee. They will not put up a fight on your behalf.

Don't forget the firm has only 48 hours to obtain the second DSCC. No reference, no fee! You should always talk to your instructing solicitor and get them on board first.

Hopefully that answers your question in a clear as mud sort of way! If you need any help with a particular situation please feel to email me with the details of the case.
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Second Attendances

Second Fees for a second necesary attendance are very rare. We all work under the terms of the General Criminal Contract and the vaious rules issued by the Legal Aid Agency, Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Law Society. We are ethically and contractually bound to do what it in the clients best interests first. Our pockets come way down the list. Second attendances are rare. There are no second fees. You only have to attend wheere it is necessary. Clearly a second interview willbe a necessary attendance. Its a pain and its part of the fixed fee. You have to attend. If we have to instruct a second rep there is a chance that you will not be paid. You do not need to attend an ID capture unless the client is vulnearable or juvenile. You never have to attend an ID Showing. Any un-necessary attendance will be paid.

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Rates of Pay

No Comment does not set rates. You are an independent police station rep. You set your own fees and pay your own taxes. You are not an employee and No Comment should not be your only source of income. We can help you with setting rates and we monitor the market place constantly.
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Usernames & Passwords

If you have any problems logging into the portal please get in touch.
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Using the Toolbox

At the top of most screens on the portal is a blue tool box which you use for navigation around the site. The most commonly used and most useful buttons are always on display. But if you click on the words, 'More Tools' some other buttons come into view. Inside the More Tools box there are various tools for finding jobs as well as buttons that take you to other less frequently used pages of the portal. These functions are added from time to time to try and assist you.

ALWAYS DISPLAYED:
My Account - View your name address and banking details along with your rates.
All My Jobs - See all the jobs you have done for us in a table which also shows if we and you are in funds.
Email No Comment - Click this button to send us an email
Report Needed - View a list of any jobs for which we do not have a report.
GDPR - Please sign our GDPR agreement or view it if you have done so already
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Find the Job on the Portal

To find a job click on the All My Jobs button. This will show a list of all the jobs you have done for us. This years jobs are clearly visible in date order. The last three years can be clicked to show those as well. Archived years are also available. Alternatively you can click the Report Needed button to see any jobs that need reports to be uploaded.

Once you have found the job you are looking for you can click the grey invoice number button to drill down and see more detail on that job.
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Covering Letters

At the top of each invoice page are a number of buttons. In the green section 1 Instructions at the top are four buttons. The green buttons are covering letters. Print the letter and pop it in the post to the firm with your hand written notes.
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Results

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Mileage & Disbs

  1. Outside of office hours you can claim up to 45p for mileage. Mileage payments up to 40p are taxfree. Everything over 40p is taxable as income.

  2. Inside office hours Mileage is the distance from the instructing solicitors office to the venue or the actual mileage, whichever is the shortest. The expectation is that you will use public transport. You can still use you own car but payments are capped at 25p per mile. To claim 45p per mile you will need to show a justification. The Criminal Bills Assessment Manual gives the following reasons:

    1. Getting to the station within 45 minutes.
    2. Security & Confidentiality: sensitive material that you carry must be safe from interference or theft.
    3. Carrying large numer of bulky documents.
    4. No public transport available.
    5. Use of a private motor vehicle was otherwise reasonable

  3. The LAA are trying to crack down on inflated or spurious travel claims. They are being a bit nutty and are querying even very small claims. Invoices & receipts should always be produced in support of claims for travel expenses. Under the contract, claims for for travel of up to £20 do not require receipts but even those are being queried so it is best to keep all reciepts with your notes.

Its vital that reps have a clear understanding of what can and cannot be claimed. The Boris campaign poster should help you and your colleages get to grips with the terms of the crime contract. BORIS is a simple 5 letter mnemonic to get it right every time.

B - Budget for Buses: The presumption is travel will cost no more that the public transport cost

O - Outside Office Hours: You can claim up to 45p for mileage.

R - Receipts: Evidence is essential. Keep receipts and note it in your report

I - Inside Office Hours: Mileage is the distance from the instructing solicitors office or the actual mileage, whichever is the shortest and capped at 25p

S - Share: Do not double claim. If you have three clients, apportion the travel costs

If it helps, please feel free to distribute thsi Boris Campaign image that has been provided by those lovely people over at No Comment, the largest police station rep agency in the UK.
Below is a copy of the Criminal Bills Assessment Manual which you will find a terrific and thrilling read. Take a look at s3.9 Travel and Waiting. There are three versions but they are all identical just in different formats. If you can't open one then try another. If you cannot open any of them or need them in a different format please feel free to get in touch:

 pdf   docx   odt
Back to Top ↑


Example s9 Statement

Occasionaly you will be asked to provide a s9 statement. Here is an example to use as a template. They are all identical but in different formats. If you can't open one then try another:

 pdf doc odt


Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

DSCC Numbers

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Custody Record Numbers (CRN)

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Time Recording

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

How to Write a Report

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Uploading Documents

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Editing Documents

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Your Invoice

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Understanding the List

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

How to Reorder the List

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

HELP FOR INSTRUCTING SOLICITORS
MENU

    Instructing No Comment
  1. Quick Start Guide
  2. Forms
  3. When Do I Need to Pay?
  4. Terms and Conditions
  5. Contacting No Comment
  6. Second Interviews
  7. Second Fees
  8. Rates
  9. How to Pay No Comment

  10. The Portal
  11. Forgotten Username and Password
  12. ToolBox
  13. Finding a Job
  14. Who gets Emails?

  15. Reports
  16. How to Get a Copy Invoice
  17. Who Gets Results?
  18. Mileage and Disbs
  19. DSCC References
  20. Custody Record Numbers
  21. Times
  22. How to get a Copy Report

  23. All My Jobs
  24. Understanding the List
  25. Reorder the List

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Quick Start Guide

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

No Comment Forms

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

When Do We Have to Pay?

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Terms and Conditions

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Contacting No Comment

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

When Will I be Paid?

aaa
Back to Menu ↑

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Double Bubble Fees

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Rates of Pay

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

How to Pay No Comment

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Usernames & Passwords]

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Using the Toolbox

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Find the Job on the Portal

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Emails from No Comment

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Copy Invoices

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Results

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Mileage & Disbs

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

DSCC Numbers

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Custody Record Numbers (CRN)

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Time Recording

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

How to Write a Report

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

Understanding the List

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

How to Reorder the List

aaa

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

OTHER FORMS

Priviledge Waiver

Priviledge Waiver

Priviledge Waiver

Initial Call Record.odt

Initial Call Record.pdf

Initial Call Record.doc

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

LEGAL AID FORMS (Updated May 2018)
You can download these forms from the LAA website.
Consent: Online LA Form
This form allows the firm to lodge Legal Aid forms online. Every client should sign this form. Even though the CRM14 and 15 are no longer used you still need to gather all the information. To that end the forms are reproduced here. The best way to get the client signature and complete the financial questions is to download the No Comment app.
CRM1: Clients Details
Despite fixed fees it is still essential to complete this form with every new client as solicitors can still use the form to claim some money outside of Legal Aid.
CRM2: Application for Advice & Assistance
As Above. If the client is under 16 years of age the details on the form have to be those of the client's parent or guardian.
CRM14: Application for Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings
Even though the CRM14 and 15 are no longer used you still need to gather all the information. To that end the forms are reproduced here. The best way to get the client signature and complete the financial questions is to download the No Comment app.
CRM15: Financial Statement
Even though the CRM14 and 15 are no longer used you still need to gather all the information. To that end the forms are reproduced here. The best way to get the client signature and complete the financial questions is to download the No Comment app.

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

PRO FORMA s9 STATEMENTS
Occasionaly you will be asked to provide a s9 statement. Here is an example to use as a template. They are all identical but in different formats. If you can't open one then try another:

ODT format

PDF format

DOC format

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

CPD RECORD
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has changed and you no longer need to get a certain number of points. Basically its now all self-assement. You have to review your strengths and weaknesses and then make a plan based on the training you think you need. Finally you keep a record of the development you undertook along with the reasons and its effectiveness. The SRA guidelines are below. Its all a bit wholly but its a pretty sensible approach. Our Suggested Proformas are below. If you have a better one do please send it to us.

SRA Competence Guidelines: sra competence
SRACompetence Toolkit: sra toolkit

CPD Template.odt

CPD Template.pdf

CPD Template.doc

CPD Plan.odt

CPD Plan.pdf

CPD Plan.doc

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

DUTY SOLICITOR COMPLIANCE RECORD
To maintain qualification as a Duty Solicitor you are required to do the following:
  1. 2 Hours CPD annually
  2. 4 Duty slots per annum
  3. 14 hours Contract Work per week
  4. 36 Total attendances per year made up of:
    • 12 Magistrates court hearings (3 per quarter)
    • 12 Police Station attendances (3 per quarter)
    • and 12 of court or police station (any time)

Compliance Template.odt

Compliance Template.pdf

Compliance Template.doc

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070

COURT FORMS
Feel free to download and use our Court Attendance forms.

Court Attendance Template (Open Office Format)

Court Attendance Template (PDF Format)

Court Attendance Template (Windows Office Format)

Court Duty (Open Office Format)

Court Duty (PDF Format)

Court Duty (Windows Office Format)

NOCOMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day

Call 07534 533 070



NO COMMENT
Every Police Station, Every Day
07534 533 070