Covid-19: Existing interim fee provisions extended to Civil & Children’s legal aid
28 April 2020
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.
All solicitor updates
Further LAOL system improvements and enhancements
28 April 2020
See various LAOL improvements including to paper accounts, device displays, ABWOR expenditure limits & diet definition, and system security.
Civil
Success Fee Agreements and legal aid
24 April 2020
An overview of important points arising from a legal aid perspective in relation to the new provisions on Success Fee Agreements effective from 27 April 2020.
All solicitor updates
Covid-19: Changes to payments to account for counsel and solicitor advocates
20 April 2020
Update explains changes to provisions as to when counsel & solicitor advocates can submit payment to account under Civil, Criminal & Children's legal aid.
Criminal
Covid-19: ABWOR grant now possible without physical calling of case
16 April 2020
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
Covid-19: Fillable digital Form 2 available for civil applications during pandemic
8 April 2020
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.
All solicitor updates
FOR SOLICITORS – Covid-19: Help for clients making payments to the Legal Aid Fund
8 April 2020
Steps we've put in place to help clients with payments, including contributions, expenses awards, property recovered or preserved, & terminations of legal aid.
Criminal
Covid-19: Appointed solicitor delegation of custody appearance
3 April 2020
Update confirming that Covid-19 a "good reason" for delegation of a custody appearance by an appointed solicitor.
Criminal
Covid-19: Making three-way calls on the Agent to Prison VC link
2 April 2020
Update on three-way video conference calls (solicitor, Advocate & prisoner) on Agent to Prisons video link. Suggested interim solution until SPS investigates.
All solicitor updates
Payment timetables – Easter and May holidays 2020
2 April 2020
See the timetables for payments to the profession over Easter and the May holidays 2020.