Help sought in improving guidance on collecting equality data
19 June 2026
New guidance is available to help solicitors collect equality data from legal aid clients and support future legal aid reform.
All solicitor updates
Travel mileage rate increase (effective 1 April 2026)
12 June 2026
The travel mileage rate payable in legal aid cases has been updated in line with HMRC published rates.
All solicitor updates
Funded legal aid traineeship scheme: applications open
9 June 2026
Apply to the Scottish Government's £1.5m fund for a supported traineeship. Applications from firms must be submitted by 15 June.
All solicitor updates
Keycards updated for new disregarded benefit – Care Leaver Payment – coming into force 1 June 2026
29 May 2026
This update explains Care Leaver payments can now be disregarded from financial assessment in all A&A/ABWOR cases, and civil and children’s legal aid cases.
Criminal
Reminder about the additional fee available at designated holiday custody courts
20 May 2026
An additional fee is available when representing an accused person appearing from custody when doing so on a day which has been designated a court holiday.
Children's
Video and webinars on Children’s reforms coming into effect 1 June 2026
12 May 2026
See our video on the Children's reform changes and dates for our webinars
All solicitor updates
System security downtime – essential maintenance
30 April 2026
We are planning an update to our system over the weekend between Friday 1 and Monday 4 May and will need system downtime.
General
Survey with suppliers of civil legal aid to inform reform – clarity as research continues
20 April 2026
We’ve commissioned IFF Research to do a survey to gain insights into the practicalities of supplying civil legal aid to inform recommendations for reform.
Civil
Impact on client if delay submitting accounts for Regulation 18 special urgency work
15 April 2026
Update highlighting importance of submitting SU accounts in a timely manner following your client’s civil application being abandoned, rejected, or refused.
All solicitor updates
Reminder: Keeping LAOL secure – ScotAccount login change to go-live this evening
13 April 2026
Join our webinars or see guidance on our website for full information on making the change
