https://www.slab.org.uk/covid-19-summary-of-updates-and-arrangements-during-the-current-crisis/
https://www.slab.org.uk/covid-19-summary-of-updates-and-arrangements-during-the-current-crisis/
Listed below in the Covid-19 Updates section are all the recent changes to arrangements as a result of the current pandemic.
The following are among the Covid-19 related changes and arrangements included in the updates, arranged by aid type:
Children's
A refreshed Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) for the children’s provisions in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 has been published.
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An update to steps put in place to help clients with payments, including contributions, expenses awards and terminations of legal aid.
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Details of research with solicitors who have not submitted any interim fees to find out if there are any barriers to using Covid-19 interim fee arrangements
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Update on availability of interim payments for all account types every three months providing claim is second or subsequent claim
Civil
Guidance on submitting interim payment claims in A&A in cases during Covid-19 where there is a prospect of property being recovered or preserved
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Streamlined procedures for payment in full that will operate until the expiry of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
Criminal
Update explaining option for counsel to claim fees during Covid-19 for preparation work in criminal cases prior to case conclusion
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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.
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This update sets out amendments to existing legal aid regulations that will come into force for the duration of the emergency Covid-19 period.
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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.
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This update explains how civil accounts under a Form of application to restart action to the Sheriff Court should be charged
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This update describes how self-employed business people affected by Covid-19 will be treated for the purposes of assessing eligibility for legal aid.
Criminal
We have updated the court duty plans for five additional custody courts the SCTS announced last week they were re-opening this Wednesday 3 June 2020.
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Guidance to help solicitors & clients when providing applicant financial information during Covid-19 for criminal, civil and children's legal aid
Civil
Guidance on information to send us with paper accounts in Civil cases involving property recovered or preserved to minimise any disruption to payments.
Civil
Highlights a number of issues that will help ensure your applications for legal aid are processed without delay.
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Civil, Children’s and Solemn Criminal legal aid accounts added to those able to take advantage of our extended interim payment processes from 30 April.
Covid-19
See guidance on interim payment claims during the Covid-19 pandemic for various accounts, including criminal, civil & children's legal aid, A&A and ABWOR.
All solicitor updates
Update explains changes to provisions as to when counsel & solicitor advocates can submit payment to account under Civil, Criminal & Children's legal aid.
Criminal
Changes for Covid-19 to allow solicitors to grant ABWOR where not attending physical calling of case. Notice of further work on delegated solicitor and half fee
Civil
We have provided a fillable fields version of the civil financial Form 2 that can be emailed to clients to help during the Covid-19 crisis.
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Steps we've put in place to help clients with payments, including contributions, expenses awards, property recovered or preserved, & terminations of legal aid.
Criminal
Update confirming that Covid-19 a "good reason" for delegation of a custody appearance by an appointed solicitor.
Criminal
Update on three-way video conference calls (solicitor, Advocate & prisoner) on Agent to Prisons video link. Suggested interim solution until SPS investigates.
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As a result of measures introduced to deal with the current pandemic, Quality Assurance Schemes and compliance audit visits are suspended for the time being.
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New guidance for submitting interim accounts for work done to date, where the Covid-19 situation means there is little prospect of conclusion in the near future
Criminal
See the Sheriff and JP court arrangements during the Covid-19 pandemic, also includes information on duty swaps and police station duty attendance
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See information for submitting paper accounts by secure email and for sending vouching or supporting information.
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See our arrangements during the Covid-19 pandemic for alternatives to notifying applicants and opponents by letter for civil, criminal & children's cases.
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See details for solicitors on electronically transfering principal sums or expenses settlements instead of sending cheques during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Criminal
Find out how to sign up to use the video link to prisons run by the Scottish Prison Service.
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See email addresses we've added to the solicitor section of the Contact us page so you can reach the relevant teams directly.
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We have developed plans to help solicitors in the face of uncertainty and shifts in the operation of the justice system.
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An update from Colin Lancaster on planning for revised arrangements during the current Covid-19 crisis.