In Part 4 of Schedule 4—
(a) after paragraph 17 insert—
(17A)
(1) Where this paragraph applies, a special preparation fee may be claimed in addition to the graduated fee payable under this Schedule.
(2) This paragraph applies where, in any case on indictment in the Crown Court in respect of which a graduated fee is payable under this Schedule, the pages of prosecution evidence as defined in paragraph 1(2) in Part 1 of this Schedule exceeds 10,000 and the appropriate officer considers it reasonable to make a payment in excess of the graduated fee payable under this Schedule.
(3) The amount of the special preparation fee shall be calculated from the number of hours' preparation in excess of the amount normally done for cases of the same type, using the rates of hourly fees set out in the table following paragraph 22 as appropriate to the category of trial advocate and length of the trial.
(4) A trial advocate claiming a special preparation fee shall supply such information and documents as may be required by the appropriate officer in support of his claim.
(b) in paragraph 19(1A)—
(i) at the end of sub-paragraph (c) omit “and”; and
(ii) after sub-paragraph (d) insert—
;
for trials lasting not less than 26 days and not more than 35 days, 5 conferences each not exceeding 2 hours;
for trials lasting not less than 36 days and not more than 40 days, 6 conferences each not exceeding 2 hours;
for trials lasting not less than 26 days and not more than 35 days, where the Commission has made an election under article 9A to apply this Schedule, 5 conferences each not exceeding 2 hours; and
for trials lasting not less than 36 days, where the Commission has made an election under article 9A to apply this Schedule, 6 conferences each not exceeding 2 hours.
(c) in the table following paragraph 22, after “Trials lasting 11–25 days”, wherever those words appear, insert “and trials lasting 26–40 days”.