News and communications

Criminal Legal Aid Manual updated to explain the process for applications for partially convicted defendants to pay a proportion of their costs.

• Updated: 2 May 2024

Providers with identified cases will be contacted at the end of January and asked to give an update on the status of each case.

• Updated: 25 January 2024

Our guidance has been updated to include information on claiming for offences not listed in the AGFS banding document or LGFS table of offences.

• Updated: 7 December 2023

We have updated our guidance to provide more detail on how to make accommodation and mileage claims for Crown Court work.

• Updated: 7 December 2023

Update on the standard monthly payment (SMP) engagement exercise.

• Updated: 8 September 2023

Providers need to use amended CW2(IMM) and CW1&2 MH forms which have corrected instructions for under 18 applicants.

• Updated: 1 September 2023

Removal of the means test for certain civil cases under the first phase of legislative changes, and other financial eligibility updates.

• Updated: 3 August 2023

Removal of financial eligibility tests for under 18s.

• Updated: 3 August 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

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

• Updated: 3 May 2023

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

• Updated: 20 April 2023

Means free legal aid is being extended for both parents and those with parental responsibilities.

• Updated: 1 March 2023

Fee increases claimable by litigators and advocates now apply to a greater number of criminal cases.

• Updated: 2 December 2022

Excel versions of the EC Claim1 forms are available online for use by providers.

• Updated: 24 June 2022

We are updating Crown Court fee claims guidance, unused material claim forms and local bar travel allowances.

• Updated: 10 March 2022

New digital CA1 form should now be used for court appointed advocacy claims after review of hourly rates.

• Updated: 8 March 2022

Changes have been made to our electronic handbooks to reflect the latest guidance.

• Updated: 3 March 2022

We have updated CCMS to accept means free submissions so you will no longer need to email your applications using form CIV ECF2 (INQ).

• Updated: 24 February 2022

We are extending support for providers in balancing off outstanding cases claimed under the now closed 100% payment on account (POA) contingency process.

• Updated: 8 February 2022