Between 1999-2000 and 2005-2006, legal aid spend on Special Children Act cases rose from £94 million to £209 million. Information prior to 1999 is not readily available as costs were not recorded to show care proceedings separately.
The estimated net total court costs for child care proceedings in 2005-06, are £42.3 million. Financial data on court costs is not available from the former Court Service prior to this period and a more robust full costing model has since been created.
The total cost of care proceedings also includes expenditure by local authorities in England and Wales; and the Children and Family Courts Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS); and CAFCASS Cymru.