https://www.slab.org.uk/guidance/changes-of-nominated-solicitor-under-advice-and-assistance/
https://www.slab.org.uk/guidance/changes-of-nominated-solicitor-under-advice-and-assistance/
There is no provision under the advice and assistance regulations for transferring a grant of advice and assistance. We do, however, have an administrative arrangement for doing so in certain prescribed circumstances.
There is such provision, as there is for the transfer of a case under criminal legal aid, for ABWOR cases chargeable by way of a fixed payment (“relevant ABWOR”).
We can allow a change the nominated solicitor in limited circumstances. A grant of advice and assistance is personal to you, but a change in the nominated solicitor can be requested online where the solicitor has died, retired or otherwise left private practice. This avoids the need for a second application for advice and assistance and your client possibly having to pay a second contribution.
The criteria are that:
The exception is if you, as a sole practitioner, have to engage a locum solicitor who, during your absence, determines if your client is eligible for advice and assistance so the grant is not put in your name. The locum will only be acting for a short time and you will usually want to take over acting for your client when you return.
The criteria to be applied in this situation are:
A request for a change in nominated solicitor can be made online using the Block Solicitor/Firm moves application. This facility can be found on the home page of Legal Aid Online.
Further guidance can be found on our webpage at Legal Aid Online Information Hub.
Advice and assistance application procedures
Learn how to an increase in authorised expenditure for ABWOR cases for post-conviction breaches & reviews, multiple deferred sentences and template increases.