Latest updates from the LAA – 27 March 2020

27 March 2020

Since my last note to you all we have continued to work to find further ways we can pivot our processes to give as much support to your members as possible.

The latest updates on our GOV.UK page makes further changes to making claims where providers and clients can no longer meet face-to-face. In this case claiming DSCC attendance fees and Mental Health Tribunal level 3 fees.

We will keep working hard looking at our systems, doing all we can to help your members.

I know funding is a top priority and we’ll continue to be flexible where we can to ensure the quick payment of funds.  

Wider discussions are taking place across the Ministry of Justice and Government, but I wanted to point you towards a variety of existing ways legal firms can seek financial assistance from the Agency. These include making interim claims, payments on account in civil representation and interim payments and hardship claims in the Crown Court.

These can be paid out under the existing regulations and claims can be submitted immediately for processing.

For ease, we’ve collected information on these schemes onto a single page:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/financial-relief-for-legal-aid-practitioners

Claims can be submitted immediately and will be processed under our current timeframes.

As ever, please share this information with your members and on social media.

Jane Harbottle

Chief Executive