---
title: "Create a prior-authority draft"
method: POST
path: "/prior-authority/drafts"
tags: ["Prior Authority"]
---

# Create a prior-authority draft

`POST /prior-authority/drafts`

Saves the supplied form as a new draft.

## Request body

- PriorAuthorityDraft — An in-progress prior-authority form saved as a draft.
  - `applicationId` string, uuid, required — ID of the application this draft is associated with.
  - `priorAuthorityType` 'EXPERT' | 'DISBURSEMENT' | 'COUNSEL', nullable — The type of prior authority being requested.
  - `counselType` 'KINGS_COUNSEL_ALONE' | 'TWO_JUNIOR_COUNSEL' | 'KINGS_COUNSEL_AND_JUNIOR_COUNSEL' | 'KINGS_COUNSEL_AND_TWO_JUNIOR_COUNSEL', nullable — The counsel type requested.
  - `expertType` string, nullable — The expert type.
  - `expertFullName` string, nullable — Full name of the expert the prior authority is for.
  - `expertPostcode` string, nullable — Primary business postcode of the expert.
  - `uploadedDocuments` UploadedDocument[], nullable — Supporting documents uploaded so far.
    - `fileName` string, required — Filename of the uploaded document.
    - `hostedUrl` string
  - `billingType` 'HOURLY' | 'FIXED_RATE', nullable — How the work will be billed.
  - `hourlyRate` number, nullable — Hourly rate in GBP.
  - `timeHours` integer, nullable — Estimated whole hours.
  - `timeMinutes` integer, nullable — Estimated additional minutes.
  - `totalAmount` number, nullable — Total amount in GBP.
  - `justification` string, nullable — Detailed rationale explaining why funding is necessary.

## Response `201`

Draft created. Location header contains the draft URL.

## Other responses

- `400` — applicationId missing.

## Changes

- **2026-08-07** `2aa39943a7d7` — 1 warning
  - removed the request property `expertBasedInLondon`
- **2026-08-03** `0ff9cb15aee1` — 1 info
  - added the new optional request property `counselType`
- **2026-07-17** `692d1529d13d` — 1 info
  - added the new optional request property `uploadedDocuments/items/hostedUrl`
- **2026-06-15** `90a429d1a8ec` — 1 breaking, 4 warning, 6 info
  - removed the enum value `FLAT_RATE` of the request property `billingType`
  - removed the request property `estimatedTime`
  - removed the request property `flatRateTotalAmount`
  - removed the request property `guidelineRatesExceeded`
  - …7 more
- **2026-05-29** `b55d5a571b68` — 1 info
  - added the new optional request property `expertBasedInLondon`

[Full history](https://skmtc.dev/ministryofjustice/apis/openapi-definition/changes/prior-authority/drafts/post.md)

---

[API](https://skmtc.dev/ministryofjustice/apis/openapi-definition.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.dev/ministryofjustice/apis/openapi-definition/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc-service-production.skmtc.workers.dev/v1/apis/ministryofjustice/openapi-definition/revisions/11cedb95c2ae/schema)