Keycards updated for new dependants’ allowances coming into force on 7 April 2025

This update explains changes to the criminal, civil and children’s Keycards as a result of new dependants’ allowances which come into force on 7 April 2025.

New dependants’ allowances

The new allowances, which should be used from that date, are:

• Partner – £52.60
• Child or any other dependant – £84.66

Documentary evidence of clients’ financial circumstances

We have also taken the opportunity to clarify a number of points in the sections on documentary evidence of clients’ financial circumstances as a result of some common misunderstandings we have encountered.

This deals with a number of areas such as:

• the attempts you make to get verification
• clients with no income or capital
• clients with no bank accounts
• relying on the signed declaration form – this can only be done where the client has actually signed the form
• what to do if the client cannot sign the declaration form.

Signing the declaration forms

The Keycards now include a summary of the current position on signing the declaration forms, which covers:

• solicitors’ signatures – all forms should be signed now
• clients’ signatures – all forms should be signed where this is possible
• what to do if the client cannot sign the form.

What’s changed in the Keycards?

We have now updated each of the Keycards for this change on our website as follows:

1. The new dependants’ allowances.
2. The updated sections on documentary evidence of clients’ financial circumstances.
3. A summary of the current position on solicitors’ and clients’ signatures on the declaration forms.

More information

For further details, please go to the criminal, civil and children’s Keycards or contact:

• Civil Legal aid: Cindy Morrice, Manager of Civil Finance morriceci@slab.org.uk
• Children’s Legal Aid: Wendy Dalgeish, Head of Civil and Children’s Legal Assistance DalgleishWe@slab.org.uk
• Criminal Legal Aid: Kingsley Thomas, Head of Criminal Legal Assistance thomaski@slab.org.uk