Home

For solicitors

For solicitors, advocates, solicitor-advocates and Legal Aid Online users.
Covid-19: summary of news & updates Read more

Current cases

For people applying for or granted legal aid, or an opponent in a legal aid case.
Covid-19: contacting us Read more

New to legal aid

For people considering applying for legal aid, wanting to check their eligibility or searching for a solicitor.
Covid-19: contacting us Read more

Advice agencies

For agencies seeking SNSIAP accreditation or looking for more information about grant funding.

Popular Links

Criminal

Covid-19: Counsel - interim fee claims for preparation in criminal cases

10 July 2020

Update explaining option for counsel to claim fees during Covid-19 for preparation work in criminal cases prior to case conclusion

Civil

Covid-19: New streamlined procedures for submitting interim accounts for Solemn Criminal & Children’s proceedings

30 June 2020

System changes have been made and, with effect from 1 July 2020, you will no longer require to upload any account in support of your interim fee claim.

All solicitor updates

Covid-19: Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020

30 June 2020

This update sets out amendments to existing legal aid regulations that will come into force for the duration of the emergency Covid-19 period.

All solicitor updates

Covid-19: Guidance note - where accounts include charges for preparation of Written Representations which replace the need for any oral hearing

30 June 2020

This note sets out our approach to assessing an account or fee to be prepared as a direct alternative to an oral hearing during the Covid-19 emergency.

All solicitor updates

Covid-19: Form of application to restart action in Sheriff Court

30 June 2020

This update explains how civil accounts under a Form of application to restart action to the Sheriff Court should be charged

All solicitor updates

Covid-19: How payment to self-employed people during emergency affects eligibility for legal aid

29 June 2020

This update describes how self-employed business people affected by Covid-19 will be treated for the purposes of assessing eligibility for legal aid.