Position on signatures prior to 2 April 2026 – previous guidance

Position for Declaration prior to 2 April 2026

DECLARATIONS 4 AUGUST 2023 TO 1 APRIL 2026

Applicants’ Signatures

  • A client must sign the Declaration form when they are seen in person. For remote meetings, or where there are other reasons why they could not sign the Declaration, there must be an explanation for this on the file. It is acceptable if there is a note on the file explaining the position, and that the solicitor has gone over the terms of the declaration with the client and that the client indicated that they understand and accepts the terms too.
  • It is acceptable for a client to “sign” an electronic version of a paper form by applying a signature using a stylus (e.g. iPencil). The solicitor should save the form, and keep a copy of the PDF version in the file (whether paper or electronic).
  • Signatures In Custody Cases - it is acceptable for the declaration form to be unsigned if it has not been possible to get a signature on the form.

Solicitors’ Signatures

  • A solicitor should always sign the Declaration form or printable summary form. In all types of Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance and ABWOR files, a solicitor has two choices for completion of the Declaration. They can:
    • use the paper Declaration form that is printable from SLAB’s website, or
    • print out the LAOL Declaration ( known as a “printable summary” of the grant or application), and then add their “wet” signature and the date of signing, even where this has been pre populated by the system.
  • It is acceptable for the solicitor to “sign” an electronic version of a paper form by applying a signature using a stylus (e.g. iPencil). The solicitor should save the form, and keep a copy of the PDF version in the file (whether paper or electronic). We expect this for peer review and compliance audits where checks are made for the signed declarations in the files being reviewed.

DECLARATIONS - 12 DECEMBER 2022 TO 3 AUGUST 2023

  • Paper Declaration forms signed by the solicitor and client, or:
  • Paper Declaration forms signed only by the solicitor and the ‘Covid’ reason used instead of the client’s signature, or:
  • Printed copies of the online application with a wet signature by the solicitor and the ‘Covid’ reason used instead of the client’s signature or with the client’s signature.

DECLARATIONS DURING COVID - 16 MARCH 2020 TO 11 DECEMBER 2022

  • Paper Declaration forms signed by the solicitor and client, or:
  • Paper Declaration forms signed only by the solicitor and the ‘Covid’ reason used instead of the client’s signature, or:
  • Printed copies of the online application with a wet signature by the solicitor and the ‘Covid’ reason used instead of the client’s signature or with the client’s signature or:
  • Printed copies of the online application containing the name of the solicitor in the signature box, but without a wet signature by the solicitor and the ‘Covid’ reason used instead of the client’s signature.