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Use the Apply for criminal legal aid service to apply for criminal legal aid online.
If your client is charged, legal aid may pay for some or all of the costs of legal representation in court. Find the specific guidance here.
Guidance on which controlled work codes to use when submitting your legal aid claim in CWA (civil, crime lower, procurement etc).
Legal aid providers: test scope, merits and means; access legislation and regulations; use the civil legal aid calculator and manual.
How CWA works online: how to claim, bulkloading, outcomes, new matter starts and guidance.
Check timescales for LAA to process your work (for example, civil applications and bills).
Submit civil eForm POA1 and crime eForms CRM4, CRM5, and CRM7.
How to report suspected fraudulent activity to the LAA and find out what action we can take.
Check timescales for the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) to process your work (eg prior authority application, graduated fee claims).
Find specific information and funding guidance so you can run your mediation service according to Legal Aid Agency (LAA) contracts.
Contract documents for providers of criminal legal aid services, 2025
How to report a person you suspect is receiving civil legal aid for which they are not eligible.
Civil applications: checklist for new applications, proceedings codes including wordings, limitation codes, borderline cases.
Use claim forms or claim online, eg using CCMS, to get paid for all aspects of legal aid work; find guidance and help with submissions.
Information for organisations interested in delivering face to face Criminal Legal Aid Services from October 2025.
Check this list to see which offences count as evidence if you're applying for legal aid to separate from an abusive ex-partner.
This page contains civil legal aid statutory materials, contracts, contractual arrangements, and guidance.
Information for organisations interested in delivering Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) services from 4 May 2026.
Check dates for processing (crime and civil) and planned BACS payments, get financial statements, switch to variable monthly payments.
Follow this guidance when claiming for work undertaken under the Prohibition of Cross-Examination In Person Qualified Legal Representative (QLR) Scheme.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
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