News and communications

Removal of financial eligibility tests for under 18s.

• Updated: 3 August 2023

Tenders invited to deliver housing and debt contract work in the Walsall procurement area.

• Updated: 2 August 2023

Contracts start for the new Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service.

• Updated: 1 August 2023

New civil contract schedules beginning 1 September 2023 to be made available by the end of July.

• Updated: 20 July 2023

The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Her Honour Deborah Taylor as the new Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board for 18 months from July 2023.

• Updated: 20 July 2023

The changes are designed to increase flexibility for providers and reduce administrative burdens.

• Updated: 20 July 2023

The amended housing and debt specification is available on the legal aid pages on GOV.UK.

• Updated: 7 July 2023

We are updating the controlled work and certificated work forms for clients to reflect legislative changes.

• Updated: 6 July 2023

We are making changes from 1 July 2023 to the 2022 Standard Crime Contract which will allow providers to bill for pre-charge bail matters before the case ends.

• Updated: 26 June 2023

Our guidance now has information on claiming the new additional preparation fee for Crown Court cases with representation orders dated on or after 17 April.

• Updated: 15 June 2023

Over 6 million more people now eligible for legal aid advice and representation.

• Updated: 24 May 2023

We are extending the 2022 standard crime contract by 24 months to 30 September 2025.

• Updated: 22 May 2023

Engagement on proposals to remove standard monthly payments in future contracts, and to repay related balances including held liabilities.

• Updated: 3 May 2023

Family legal aid is being extended to include Special Guardianship Orders for both those with parental responsibilities and prospective guardians.

• Updated: 2 May 2023

Extra £6 million to support up to 2,000 more people in complex family cases.

• Updated: 1 May 2023

Revisions include interim payment of cost claims known as ‘disbursements’ and the new section 28 fixed fee.

• Updated: 20 April 2023

We’re opening another opportunity to bid for the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service which replaces the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme later this year.

• Updated: 11 April 2023

We are developing a new digital service to replace CRM14 and CRM15 eForms and testing with providers and caseworkers starts in summer 2023.

• Updated: 5 April 2023

We are inviting providers to help with development work on a new tool for checking client financial eligibility for legal aid.

• Updated: 30 March 2023

Changes are being made to mental health contracts to cover more cases when a tribunal appoints providers to represent clients.

• Updated: 21 March 2023