Witness expense guidance

Overview

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) may reimburse reasonable expenses you incur when attending:

• Competition adjudication proceedings, or
• Court as a witness

This guidance does not apply to CCPC staff. CCPC employees are covered by the organisation’s travel policy.

Competition Adjudication Proceedings

Claims for expenses in relation to competition adjudication proceedings should be sent directly to the adjudication officer(s) who have discretion to determine travel and subsistence expenses which the CCPC will be required to pay.

Other Witness Expenses

The remainder of this guidance applies to all other witnesses attending court on behalf of the CCPC. Witness expenses may include:

• Travel
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Loss of earnings

You must speak to your CCPC contact in advance to confirm whether expenses may be approved. After you have attended court and given your evidence, you should submit your claim to your CCPC contact, together with proof of costs and/or receipts. 

Travel

All travel costs must be approved in advance by your CCPC contact.

Public transport

Public transport is the preferred method of travel. Other travel arrangements may be considered where public transport is not suitable. You are responsible for booking your own tickets. You must provide receipts showing:

• Start and end points of the journey
• Date(s) and time(s) of travel, and
• Fare paid

Only economy-class public transport fares will be reimbursed.

Private transport

If public transport is not suitable, private transport may be used but prior approval is required.

• Mileage will be reimbursed at public sector rates
• Parking and toll charges will be reimbursed, subject to receipts being provided

Accommodation

You must obtain advance approval for any overnight accommodation. Please contact your CCPC point of contact before making a booking. Unapproved accommodation costs may not be reimbursed. The maximum amount reimbursed will be in accordance with public sector rates.

Meals

You must provide itemised receipts for all meal expenses. Credit card receipts alone are not acceptable. Meal reimbursements are subject to public sector rate limits.

Loss of Earnings

Employed witnesses

If you attend court while on paid annual leave, the CCPC cannot reimburse you. Only unpaid leave may be claimed. Claims must be supported by confirmation from your employer, stating:

• The gross loss of earnings, and
• The net loss of earnings (net after tax)

Self-employed witnesses

If you are self-employed, you must provide evidence of your loss of earnings, for example a letter from your accountant.

Submitting Your Claim

All claims must be submitted to your CCPC contact within three months of attending as a witness. Your claim must include:

• A completed Witness Expenses Claim Form, and
• All relevant receipts

Court-Ordered Payment of Expenses

Where expenses are recoverable by court order, the CCPC may reimburse the individual in the first instance and recover the costs from the relevant third party; such expenses will not be reimbursed more than once.

Costs Not Reimbursed

The CCPC does not reimburse solicitor’s or legal fees incurred by witnesses.

Further Information

If you have any questions about this guidance, please reach out to your CCPC point of contact.