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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesKeep a complete, dated record of the order, when it was issued and received, every objection you made, the documents you supplied, and proof of delivery. In the England and Wales Criminal Cases Unit (CCU) central-funds procedure, a review or redetermination request is normally made in writing within 21 days of the assessment. If the matter later goes to an appeal, the appeal record is built from the application, the material considered by the assessing authority, the written reasons and the objections raised at redetermination. Evidence omitted at the first stage may be impossible to add later.
This is a narrowly defined guide to that CCU central-funds process. “Late reassessment order” can also describe a tax, benefits, property, immigration or other administrative decision. Those systems have different rules, triggers and remedies, so do not apply the deadlines below until you have identified the issuing body and governing legislation.
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First identify which procedure governs the order
Before sorting documents, establish four facts: who issued the decision, what type of claim or assessment it concerns, which jurisdiction applies and the date on which the decision was notified to you. The evidence needed to challenge lateness depends on those facts. A late notice may affect the calculation of a time limit in one scheme, while in another it may be only a procedural complaint or may have no effect at all.
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When this checklist fits
The specific procedure covered here is an England and Wales assessment of a Criminal Cases Unit central-funds costs claim, including a reassessment and a possible appeal to the Senior Courts Costs Office (SCCO). The official process refers to review or redetermination, written reasons, Form A, CE-File filing and service on the determining authority.
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When it does not
Do not use the 21-day periods for a tax assessment, local-authority charge, welfare decision, planning matter, immigration decision or any other order merely because it is described as a reassessment. Find the notice’s appeal section, the enabling regulation or statute, and the current instructions of the body that made the decision. If the notice is unclear, record that uncertainty and obtain advice promptly rather than allowing a potentially short deadline to expire.
The core evidence file to create immediately
Create one electronic folder and, where possible, one physical folder. Use a consistent filename such as 2026-10-17_reassessment_notice.pdf. Keep the original file, not just a screenshot or a printout. Make a simple index so another person can understand the case without relying on your memory.
Decision and timing records
- The original assessment notice, including every page and attachment.
- The reassessment notice and any accompanying reasons, schedules or calculations.
- The date shown on each document as the date it was made or issued.
- The date you actually received it. For post, retain the envelope, postal mark and any delivery record. For email, retain the complete message with headers if available. For a portal, save the notification, download history and the page showing when the document became available.
- A chronology listing the decision date, sending date, receipt date, your responses, later reasons and any filing or service dates.
These date records are practical evidence for calculating a period and explaining a delay. They do not, by themselves, prove which date legally starts the clock. The applicable rule may use notification, receipt, service or another defined event.
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Your review or redetermination request
- A signed copy of the written request you sent.
- A list of every disputed item, with a separate explanation of why you say it is wrong or should be reconsidered.
- All documents and information enclosed with the request.
- A copy of any request asking for an oral hearing, and the reason you wanted one.
- Proof of delivery: an email sent record, an automated acknowledgement, a portal receipt, tracked-post confirmation or other reliable transmission evidence.
- Any reply, request for more information or notice changing the timetable.
Keep the exact version that was sent. If you later correct or supplement it, preserve the earlier version and label the later document with its sending date. This prevents an argument about what grounds were actually raised at redetermination.
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Reasons and later appeal documents
- The written reasons for the reassessment decision, including the date and method by which they were notified.
- The application for assessment and any reassessment application or schedule.
- All information and documents the assessing authority considered, so far as you can obtain them.
- Your objections raised at redetermination, cross-referenced to the documents supporting each objection.
- The appeal notice or Form A, the filed bundle and the filing confirmation.
- Proof that the appeal and supporting documents were served on the determining authority and any other party the current instructions require.
- Correspondence about missing documents, extensions, hearing arrangements or directions from the Costs Judge.
Deadlines that make date evidence important
Requesting review or redetermination
For the CCU central-funds assessment procedure, the written request for review or redetermination is made within 21 days of the assessment. The request should identify what you dispute, explain why, include relevant documents and information, and say whether you want a hearing. Count from the legally relevant notification event under the current rules, not from a casual estimate. If receipt was later than the date printed on the notice, retain evidence of both dates and explain the difference in the request.
Requesting written reasons
For the specified Crown Court central-funds claim categories, the guidance allows a request for written reasons within 21 days of notification of the reassessment decision. Preserve the notification and the date you received it. A request for reasons is not a substitute for checking the separate deadline for review or appeal; record each deadline independently.
Appeal filing and fee
The SCCO guidance describes a CE-File appeal route, asks for Form A and a copy of the written reasons, and requires service of the appeal and supporting documents on the determining authority. It listed an appeal fee of £123 as at 8 April 2025. Fees and electronic-filing instructions can change, so verify the current amount and method immediately before filing and keep the payment receipt or fee-remission evidence.
How to document that an order or notice was late
Build a six-date chronology
For each decision, record (1) the date the decision was made, (2) the date printed on it, (3) the date it was sent, (4) the date it became available through a portal or email, (5) the date you actually received or accessed it and (6) the date you responded. Add the source for each entry, such as an envelope, message header, portal log or acknowledgement. Do not silently replace an uncertain date with an assumption; mark it as “not established” and explain what evidence is missing.
Preserve transmission evidence
Scan envelopes before discarding them. Export email messages in a format that retains headers, rather than keeping only a forwarded copy. Save portal pages as PDFs and retain the original downloaded file. If a portal shows a timestamp in a different time zone, record the displayed time and the time zone. Keep automated acknowledgements and delivery-failure notices, including the full text of any error.
Explain the practical effect of the delay
Write a short, dated statement describing when you could first act, what information was unavailable, and what steps you took after receiving the notice. Attach objective proof where available, such as travel records, documented system outages or correspondence showing that the notice was sent to an old address. Whether lateness affects validity, the time limit or relief is determined by the governing scheme; the chronology supports the argument but does not decide it.
Comparing the assessment, reassessment and appeal record
When several decision-makers or versions of a calculation are involved, compare them in a table. This exposes changes and missing reasoning without relying on memory.
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| Comparison point | What to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Decision and period | Claim, cost item, case period and amount covered by each document | Shows whether two documents actually concern the same issue |
| Dates | Date made, sent, received and challenged | Allows the applicable period to be checked |
| Reasons | Reason given at assessment, reassessment and in written reasons | Identifies a new reason or an issue never addressed |
| Evidence considered | Document title, version, date supplied and whether it was acknowledged | Shows what the authority had before deciding |
| Grounds raised | Exact objection in the redetermination request and where it appears in the bundle | Preserves issues for any later appeal |
| Procedure | Deadline, filing method, fee and service requirement | Prevents a technically defective challenge |
Why every objection must appear at redetermination
The guidance states that, under regulation 10(11), unless the Costs Judge otherwise directs, no further evidence is received at the appeal hearing. It also says that grounds not raised before the determining officer on redetermination are not valid. The practical consequence is significant: do not reserve a point for the appeal because it seems more persuasive later. Put the point in the written redetermination request, identify the supporting document and explain the remedy you seek.
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Keep a “grounds matrix” with four columns: objection number, precise issue, evidence supplied and paragraph or page in the request. If the authority replies to only some objections, mark the unanswered ones and retain the correspondence. A later appeal bundle should make clear that each ground was presented at the required stage.
Preparing an appeal bundle
- Obtain the written reasons. Check that the document is complete, dated and legible. If pages or attachments are missing, ask for them in writing and keep the request.
- Complete the required form. The SCCO guidance refers to Form A. Use the current version and copy the decision details exactly as they appear on the notice.
- Assemble the procedural record. Include the assessment and reassessment applications, documents considered, written reasons, redetermination request, responses and proof of notification.
- Index and paginate the bundle. Use descriptive labels and make every reference in your grounds point to a page or document.
- File through the stated route. The guidance describes CE-File filing. Save the submission confirmation, uploaded-file list and any rejection or correction notice.
- Serve the determining authority. Send the appeal and supporting documents by the method required by the current instructions. Keep the service email, certificate, postal receipt or other proof.
- Record the fee. The published fee was £123 on 8 April 2025; confirm the current fee before payment and retain the receipt.
Handling originals, digital files and authenticity
Keep originals in a read-only location and work from copies. Do not edit a PDF to add notes to the evidential version; put annotations in a separate working copy. Retain metadata where it helps establish creation or receipt, but do not assume metadata alone proves service. For paper documents, scan in colour when stamps, signatures or annotations matter and check that every page is readable.
Use a simple log showing file name, date received, source, and any conversion or redaction. If you redact personal data, preserve an unredacted original securely and identify what was removed in the filed copy if the rules require that explanation. Back up the folder in at least two secure locations and restrict access because central-funds files may contain confidential case information.
Common mistakes and how to correct them
Relying on the date printed on the notice
Problem: The printed issue date is treated as the receipt date. Correction: retain envelope, header or portal evidence and state both dates.
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Sending a general complaint
Problem: “The reassessment is wrong” does not identify the disputed items or reasons. Correction: number each objection, state the factual or legal basis in plain language and attach the document supporting it.
Adding a new ground only on appeal
Problem: A new argument or document appears for the first time at the hearing. Correction: include every relevant ground and supporting document in the redetermination request; explain any unavoidable omission immediately and seek directions rather than assuming it will be admitted.
Losing proof of service
Problem: You can show what was sent but not when or to whom. Correction: save the transmission record, recipient details and acknowledgement with the sent copy.
Using an outdated fee or filing instruction
Problem: A previously published fee or portal instruction is relied on. Correction: check the current SCCO guidance on the filing date and retain a dated copy or screenshot of the instruction used.
A practical one-page checklist
- Identify the issuing authority, claim type, jurisdiction and governing rule.
- Save the assessment, reassessment, reasons and every attachment.
- Record made, sent, available, received and response dates.
- Preserve envelopes, headers, portal logs and acknowledgements.
- Calendar the 21-day review or redetermination period where the CCU rule applies.
- For the specified Crown Court claim types, calendar the separate 21-day written-reasons period.
- State every disputed item and reason in the written request.
- Attach supporting documents and request a hearing if you want one.
- Keep the exact sent copy and delivery proof.
- Obtain written reasons before preparing the appeal record.
- Use the current Form A and CE-File instructions if appealing to the SCCO.
- Include proof of service and confirm the current fee before filing.
- Do not rely on new evidence or grounds being accepted at the hearing.
When to obtain professional help
Consider prompt advice if the notice does not identify a clear deadline, the receipt date is disputed, the amount is substantial, several versions of the assessment conflict, or you have missed a stated period. A professional can identify the correct statutory route and whether an extension, relief or judicial direction is available. Give them the indexed chronology and document list rather than a folder of unlabelled files; that reduces the risk that a critical date or objection is overlooked.
Bottom line for a late CCU reassessment
Preserve the timeline and preserve the issues. In the England and Wales CCU central-funds process, the safest record is a dated chain from the original assessment through notification, redetermination, written reasons and any appeal, with every objection, attachment and service receipt retained. Because the consequences of lateness and the admissibility of later material depend on the governing rules, verify the current procedure before relying on any deadline or fee.
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