Financial considerations
Please note the following important information
Letter of Instruction (LOI):
The LOI we receive on confirmation of this piece of work must contain the following:
- A list of all PARTIES (names, contact details) including;
- whether they are responsible for paying our fees
- what proportion of fees they are responsible for
- what their financial source is (legal aid, private funds, local authority, etc.)
- Our AGREED FEES and prevailing rates must be included in the
- PRIVATE PAYERS must be identified in the LOI and their fees will be payable in advance of work
- Local Authorities responsible for all or part of our fees must provide a PURCHASE ORDER (PO NUMBER), preferably in the LOI but certainly in advance of work commencing. Local authorities who can provide PO numbers retrospectively will need to confirm this in writing.
- If additional fees are incurred, for example, for non-attendance, addendum reports, professionals’ meetings or court attendance, the PO will need to be uplifted to reflect this.
Changes to letter of instruction
- If there are any changes to payment parties, representatives, etc., as set out in the LOI we must be informed in writing as soon as possible. The Lead and all parties must also be made aware.
Additional work
- If any additional work is requested beyond the main report (addendum, court attendance, professional’s meeting, etc.) we require written confirmation identifying who will meet PCEA’s additional fees (i.e. As per the original LOI or to be met by a different arrangement).
Prior authority
- Legally Aided parties may need to seek prior authority from the Legal Aid Agency (LAA), especially for larger cases with more than three people/45 hours to be charged.
- We must be notified of any issues with LAA prior authority before work commences or at the earliest
- A detailed cost breakdown/estimate is available on request to assist with prior authority
Additional costs
- Travel costs may not be known at the quotation stage but these will be charged in line with LAA guidelines so provision must be made for this. We can provide travel cost estimates on request once appointment details have been finalised.
- Travel costs will be charged from the Psychologist’s base of operations/home address to cover specific journeys made/required. Please note that for appointments held at the Psychology Clinic of East Anglia’s own premises, where the Psychologist carrying out the work is not usually based at our premises and has travelled specifically for the purpose of conducting the work, travel rates will be charged from their base at the prevailing rates.
- Non-attendance and short notice cancellations may incur additional fees in line with LAA
Payment method
- In light of changes in social and working practices due to the COVID-19 epidemic please wherever possible make payments by electronic means direct to our bank account, the details of which are included on our invoices.
Failure to ensure that relevant financial measures are in place may result in work being delayed or PCEA not being able to accept instruction
To discuss any of the above prior to instruction, please contact PCEA on admin@pcea.co.uk or 01603 610059