Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC)
How SaBC works: how to claim, bulkloading, fee codes and guidance.
Applies to England and Wales
Submit a Bulk Claim enables providers to upload Legal Help, Crime Lower and Mediation monthly submissions.
Launch of Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC) – 4 February 2026
The Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC) service went live on 4 February.
This is a significant moment, as unlike other systems that we have restored following the cyber-attack, this is a brand new service, all be it with some similarities to how our CWA system previously functioned.
Providers will need to use SaBC to upload their monthly submissions, by 20th of each month (unless directed otherwise).
Try to make sure your submission is at the beginning of the month as this allows maximum time to offer support and resolve any questions.
We have already contacted the Software Vendors (SVs) for which we have details, to ensure they are engaging with providers; however, we would encourage providers to liaise with their own SV if they have any questions as to the readiness of their own system or any changes that have been made to it.
To ensure that you are best prepared to make use of SaBC, we would encourage providers to:
- Review the guidance materials available below
- Watch the recorded system walkthrough on the LAA Training website
- Seek support from us early if you require any assistance
It is particularly important that any provider experiencing difficulties contacts us as soon as possible so that we can offer support. Early engagement will help providers avoid delays and make future submissions through SaBC significantly simpler.
If you have any queries, please either contact your Contract Manager or email SubmitABulkClaimQueries@justice.gov.uk. Please do refer to the published guidance in the first instance as this will likely address your query.
How to access SaBC
All claims for controlled work, mediation and crime lower work must now be submitted via Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC).
SaBC is a digital billing service that allows and validates monthly submissions online and calculates fees.
To access Submit a Bulk Claim, you will need to have a verified account with Sign in to legal aid services (SILAS) and Submit a Bulk Claim will need to have been added to your profile. Once this has been done, and you are logged into SILAS, you will be able to click on a link to access the Submit a Bulk Claim landing page. See the Legal Aid Agency training website for guidance on how to create an account with and use SILAS.
Those individuals who are providers’ SILAS Firm admins, will need to assign the ‘Submit a bulk claim’ app to the users that need it. The SaBC app will not appear in SILAS until then. Firm Admins should refer to the published guidance at that point, to assign the app: https://legalaidlearning.justice.gov.uk/sign-in-to-legal-aid-services/#1-Setupandmanaginguseraccess
How SaBC works
Providers will be able to access the service via SILAS and can upload their bulkload or case management system exported data file directly into SaBC. The service will check the file and calculate the price of each claim within it. If any information is missing or if fundamental errors have been made within the submission, it will be rejected prior to calculating costs.
You can find further information on how to use SaBC in the Submit a Bulk Claim User Guide which can be found in the Guidance section below.
Changes for providers
Unlike in CWA, providers are unable to enter the details of each claim directly into SaBC – instead the submission must be uploaded via a bulkload spreadsheet export or via a file exported from their case management system (updated CSV, XML, and TXT exports).
Submit a Bulk Claim includes a new field – Fee Code; a Fee Code is required for each claim submitted and will determine how each is priced. See the Submit a Bulk Claim and new Fee Code field section below for details.
Unlike in CWA, once a file is uploaded and accepted, it is priced without any ability to review it first.
Given the pace that has been required to develop and build SaBC it has not been possible to initially replicate all of the functions of CWA and some such as the ability to review and amend a claim in the system, will be the subject of future potential development. We understand that in the meantime, there is a greater need for claims to be accurate before they are uploaded, or else they will requirement amendment after they have been uploaded.
SaBC will also require one file to be uploaded, per office and area of law (civil, crime & mediation) per month.
SaBC does contain additional validation to enforce initial cost limits in immigration matters – please refer to the Guidance for reporting Civil and Mediation matters, in the guidance document section below.
Using the bulkload spreadsheet and compatibility
If your case management system export isn’t compatible with SaBC or if you don’t have one, you can still bulkload your submission data using the bulk upload spreadsheet (links below).
We have updated the bulkload spreadsheet to improve its functionality for providers, this includes:
- For Windows users, adding in a drop-down menu for providers to select a Fee Code for each claim
- For Windows users, Updating the example references to reflect current Contracts and schedules
- Updating validation to reduce the likelihood of any rejects when claims are uploaded to SaBC
- Updating links and references to support guidance
We have also created a version of the spreadsheet designed specifically for those using MacBook operating systems. While this version does not have all the updated functionality of the Windows version (such as the Fee Code dropdown), it should assist providers who encountered compatibility issues when trying to use the Windows version. The MacBook version will have further iterations in due course, to ensure it fully reflects the Windows version.
The supporting guide has also been updated, and there are now two – one for Windows and one for MacBooks, reflecting the slight differences in functionality between the two.
Providers should ensure that they use the latest version of the spreadsheets for any submissions.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU READ AND FOLLOW THE STEPS IN THE GUIDANCE OR YOU WILL LIKELY ENCOUNTER ERRORS.
The and provides guidance on how to use the spreadsheet(s) to draft your monthly submission, validate it and create an export file.
Claim amendments
Amendments to claims submitted on CWA
Make changes to any of your previously submitted CWA claims using 1 of 3 amendment forms and guidance:
Email amendment requests to: PA-ClaimAmend@justice.gov.uk
When completing the spreadsheet remember to:
- include the net revised cost, not gross
- check the compatibility of cost and code combinations within revised claims
- put your name and account number in the subject header
Whilst we are currently unable to process any amendments, a solution on how these will be amended is being developed so the forms can be submitted pending a confirmed approach.
Amendments to claims submitted on SaBC
The ability to amend a claim submitted on SaBC, will not be available for launch. If you have requested payment for cases under the monthly contingency and have identified that there was an error affecting the amount you were entitled to claim, if possible, please correct these claims prior to submitting them on SaBC.
An approach to amendments for claims submitted on SaBC, will be communicated in due course. Please do continue to complete and send an amendment form where you identify an amendment is needed to a claim submitted on SaBC.
Email amendment requests to: PA-ClaimAmend@justice.gov.uk
Submit a Bulk Claim and new Fee Code field
Each claim submitted through Submit a Bulk Claim, will need to include a new, single fee code.
This change has been required to enable us to deliver the new service at speed.
You will need to include the new fee codes in any SaBC submission for them to be accepted by the new service. The spreadsheet below sets out how the new Fee Codes map to an existing matter type or other reporting code (which may have previously triggered pricing rules in CWA). Where the matter type or other codes has N/A listed, you still need to enter a valid code in that field, but it no longer triggers the fee that you are paid; the Fee Code does that.
You should refer to the Guide for SaBC claims and Guidance for reporting Crime Lower for the detail of what should be reported in each field.
To support you to make this change, we have worked with software vendors who have been updating their systems to accommodate and enable the new fee codes. Most vendors have confirmed that they are going to auto-generate the codes in the claim exports. If you have any concerns as to whether your case management system has been updated accordingly, please contact your software vendor.
We acknowledge that this is a considerable change and have worked as hard as possible to minimise the impact for providers, including working with a group of providers to design the service. However, due to the need to deliver a working service as early as possible, the initial release will only support the submission and pricing of claims.
To aid providers understand how the new fee code ‘maps’ across to an existing matter type or other reporting code (which may have previously triggered pricing rules in CWA), we have developed a series of recorded webinars and slide packs for providers to refer to.
Providers can access these webinars and slide packs via the Legal Aid Learning website:
Civil - legalaidlearning.justice.gov.uk/submit-a-bulk-claim-civil/
Crime - legalaidlearning.justice.gov.uk/submit-a-bulk-claim-crime
Calculating value of an outcome
Upon successful uploading and acceptance of the submission, SaBC will price each line and will provide the total value of the submission.
Providers will also be able to view the calculated price of each line of the submission and can click on each individually to view how that sum has been determined.
In future, providers will be able to export the details of the claims and the calculated price, from SaBC.
The value for each claim will be calculated will be in accordance with the relevant provisions in the respective Civil/Crime Remuneration Regulations and Standard Civil/Crime Contracts, with further information available in the reporting codes guidance below.
Reporting New matter starts for controlled work and mediation
‘NEW MATTER STARTS’ is the LAA contracting term used for controlled work and mediation, e.g., the first meeting a provider has with a client.
How to report new matter starts depends on what method of submission you’re using.
Please note that New Matter Start reporting does not apply to Criminal cases.
LAA’s bulkload spreadsheet
Enter new matter starts into the controlled matter start form (CMSF) area of the spreadsheet.
CMS file
Contact your software supplier to find out if your CMS bulkload file contains your new matter starts. If it doesn’t and they require details as to the format required, please contact us.
If seeking to only report NMS via the bulkload spreadsheet, please refer to the user guidance above for details of how to do so.
Claims relating to the contingency period
SaBC must be used to upload your historic contingency submissions from April to December 2025. These should be uploaded by 20 March 2026.
You should upload a submission for each individual month (one file per office and per area of law); this will aid the reconciliation of your accounts as we will be able to identify which (if any) months differ between amounts requested via contingency, and the value of the subsequent claims reported. It will also help you in reconciling contingency payments received and enable quick identification of any significant, unexpected discrepancies.
If you encounter any technical issues with uploading your submissions, please contact submitabulkclaimqueries@justice.gov.uk. If you have concerns regarding the deadline of 20 March, please speak with your Contract Manager.
Once submissions are uploaded, a review will take place in April 2026 before any reconciliation takes place, and providers will be supplied with confirmation of any difference in value between contingency submissions and actual submissions by their Contract Manager. Your Contract Manager will reach out for a discussion where there are significant differences in the figures and there will be an opportunity to rectify any issues or omissions.
Final reconciliation will take place on the payment due 4 May 2026.
Prepared submissions missing fee codes
Most software vendors have also confirmed that they can enable claim exports generated during the contingency period to be re-run with the new codes included, which supports the requirements for all contingency submissions to be made in Submit a Bulk Claim. However, we recognise that there may be additional work for you to update claim exports from the contingency.
To assist you with such updates, we have created a tool which providers can upload these exports into, and the tool will generate the applicable fee code based on the information in that export. This data can then be copied into a version of the bulkload spreadsheet and a new export created.
Not all providers will need to make use of this tool. To aid you in identifying whether it may be of assistance to you, we have created this short survey Check if you need to use the fee code assigning tool for contingency period claims If the survey concludes that you would benefit from use of the tool, we will contact you from the dedicated SubmitABulkClaimQueries@justice.gov.uk email, providing a copy of the tool and supporting guidance. The tool will only be sent to those providers who have used the survey and been shown to potentially benefit from it.
Immigration providers
We have identified two issues via testing which will impact Immigration providers who have used earlier versions of the bulkload spreadsheet, preceding v1.39:
- The first we had already identified and contacted you regarding, was that any Immigration submission prepared on v1.36-1.38 of the bulkload spreadsheet, did not permit the data in the Travel Time field to feed through to the export.
- The second issue is that you cannot copy from a version pre-ceding v1.39, into v1.39 without the Fee Scheme and Fee Code data being omitted from the export file due to compatibility issues
To resolve these issues, we require that any contingency submissions you have drafted to date in versions 1.35-1.38 (or earlier), are imported into our Fee Code Mapping tool and this will create a new, compatible set of data that you can then copy into version 1.39 of the bulkload spreadsheet to produce your export file.
We have written to all immigration providers to confirm this to them and to provide them with a copy of the Civil Fee Mapping Tool (v1.1) and accompanying guidance.
While this does involve some administrative action on your part, it will prevent submissions being rejected or incomplete.
Please note – if your case management system prepares and creates your export file for uploading into SaBC, then the above does not apply to you. Those export files are unaffected.
If you have yet to draft your contingency submissions or if you drafted them in v1.39 of the bulkload spreadsheet (or later), then the above guidance will not apply to you. Those export files are unaffected.
If you need to rely on using the LAA bulkload spreadsheet then you should ensure that you draft your submission on the latest version, v1.39.
Any further issues or questions regarding the above please email SubmitABulkClaimQueries@justice.gov.uk with the subject line “Imm contingency claims”
Exceptional Case Funding (ECF)
We are aware that previously CWA would generate an ECF payment reference which providers would then report in CWA in the ECF field. Providers will not need to retrospectively obtain a reference if one was not given for applications granted between April 2025 and February 2026. A copy of the letter confirming the grant of Exceptional Case Funding should continue to be retained on file. The ECF Team will commence allocating reference numbers for new applications, and these references should be reported on SaBC as they were in CWA.
Guidance Documents
The sets out instructions on how to use the new system, SaBC, to bulk upload a monthly submission for Civil (Legal Help), Crime Lower or Mediation for legal aid providers.
The includes help on selecting the appropriate Fee Code and other codes (e.g. matter types) when reporting completed civil and mediation work.
The Code document contains all valid Category, Procurement Area and Access Point combinations and codes.
The includes help on selecting the appropriate Fee Code and other codes (e.g. stage reached) for completed criminal work. The changes made are also summarised in the
The summarises those questions received from providers in relation to the new service and highlight guidance on common issues.
Contact
Email SubmitABulkClaimQueries@justice.gov.uk if you have any questions regarding your submission. Please do refer to the published guidance first, as this will likely answer most of your queries.
We understand this is a significant change, at short notice, and are committed to working closely with you to support a smooth transition.
We are keen to understand more about your monthly submissions, how you usually submit and the impacts of this change on your usual operations, you can help us by sharing your feedback using this link - New ‘Submit a Bulk Claim’ service - Provider feedback form.
Government confirms increases to some Civil and Crime legal aid fees taking effect on 22 December.
Civil
On 1 December, the statutory instrument uplifting all claimable rates for immigration and housing-controlled work was laid. This came into effect for matters opened on or after 22 December 2025. The uprated fees, linked to the single fee codes, can be found here .
Where applicable and only for uplifted fees, we have uplifted the immigration profit cost and total cost limits that are set out in the 2024 Standard Civil Contract Immigration Specification.
Crime
Regulations were also laid on 1 December which will introduce the following fee increases for criminal legal aid cases beginning on or after 22 December 2025:
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Harmonised police station fees to £320 with the police station escape fee threshold revised from £960 to £650 (excl. VAT).
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10% uplifts to fees for the magistrates’ court (including the Youth Court)
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Prison law fees increased by 24%
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10% uplift to solicitor fees for some appeals work
Frequently asked questions on the uplifted fees -
The is guidance on how to claim the higher Housing and Debt and Immigration and Asylum fees for matters opened on or after 22 December.
Updates to this page
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Guidance for SaBC & Submit a Bulk Claim User Guide has been updated
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Windows and Mac user SaBC bulkload spreadsheet guidance and SaBC FAQs have been updated.
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Provider Bulkload Spreadsheet has been updated.
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document updated
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FAQs updated
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Guidance updated
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SaBC FAQs document updated
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New fee codes with mapping spreadsheet has been updated.
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Civil SaBC amendment form, SaBC FAQs and SaBC User Guide updated
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Information for Immigration Providers, under 'Claims relating o the contingency period', has been updated. The SaBC FAQs document has also been updated.
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Under Guidance Documents, Submit a Bulk Claim User Guide has been updated.
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The SaBC FAQs and information under, 'Claims relating to the contingency period' have been updated.
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Information under 'How to access SaBC' has been updated.
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Under Guidance Documents, the Procurement Area and Access Point Code document has been added.
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Document updated
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Information under Claims relating to the contingency period, has been updated.
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Document updated.
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Information on the Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC) page has been updated and the attachments have been refreshed.
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Full list of fee codes has been added.
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Fee Codes updated
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Frequently asked questions on the uplifted fees added.
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Fee uplift guidance
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Submit a Bulk Claim FAQs have been updated.
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Bulk claim user guide has been added
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Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC) guidance has been updated.
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Replacement of CWA monthly submissions system – Contingency claims has been updated. Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC) FAQs have also been updated.
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Guidance for SaBC has been updated.
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SaBC guidance has been added.
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First published.