Costs - Annex 3a
Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.
AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.
This prosecution guidance provides current rates for expert witness fees applicable from 15 September 2008. It outlines specific preparation and attendance fees for various types of expert witnesses including medical practitioners, fire experts, forensics, and interpreters. It serves as a key resource for understanding costs associated with expert witness involvement in court processes.
Key points
- Current rates effective from September 15, 2008.
- Consultant medical practitioners can charge £70 - £100 per hour for preparation.
- Fire experts may charge £50 - £75 per hour.
- Forensic scientists and similar professionals can charge £47 - £100 per hour.
- Fingerprint experts charge £32 - £52 per hour for preparation.
This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.