https://www.slab.org.uk/covid-19-summary-of-updates-and-arrangements-during-the-current-crisis/
https://www.slab.org.uk/covid-19-summary-of-updates-and-arrangements-during-the-current-crisis/
Listed below in the Covid-19 Updates section are all the recent changes to arrangements as a result of the current pandemic.
The following are among the Covid-19 related changes and arrangements included in the updates, arranged by aid type:
All solicitor updates
6th April 2021
See Covid-19 details for solicitors on electronically transfering principal sums, expenses settlements or returning overpayments instead of sending cheques.
All solicitor updates
18th December 2020
Information on solicitor applications and accounts for the period from beginning of March to early December 2020
Children's
11th December 2020
A refreshed Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) for the children’s provisions in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 has been published.
All solicitor updates
10th November 2020
An update to steps put in place to help clients with payments, including contributions, expenses awards and terminations of legal aid.
All solicitor updates
4th November 2020
Details of research with solicitors who have not submitted any interim fees to find out if there are any barriers to using Covid-19 interim fee arrangements
Civil
7th October 2020
Update on who to contact if clients have change in their financial circumstances or difficulty in making their payments
7th September 2020
Information on solicitor applications and accounts for the period from beginning of March to the end of August
Civil
4th August 2020
Guidance on submitting interim payment claims in A&A in cases during Covid-19 where there is a prospect of property being recovered or preserved
All solicitor updates
4th August 2020
Streamlined procedures for payment in full that will operate until the expiry of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
Criminal
10th July 2020
Update explaining option for counsel to claim fees during Covid-19 for preparation work in criminal cases prior to case conclusion
All solicitor updates
30th June 2020
System changes have been made and, with effect from 1 July 2020, you will no longer require to upload any account in support of your interim fee claim.
All solicitor updates
30th June 2020
This update sets out amendments to existing legal aid regulations that will come into force for the duration of the emergency Covid-19 period.
All solicitor updates
30th June 2020
This note sets out our approach to assessing an account or fee to be prepared as a direct alternative to an oral hearing during the Covid-19 emergency.
All solicitor updates
30th June 2020
This update explains how civil accounts under a Form of application to restart action to the Sheriff Court should be charged.
All solicitor updates
29th June 2020
This update describes how self-employed business people affected by Covid-19 will be treated for the purposes of assessing eligibility for legal aid.
Criminal
1st June 2020
We have updated the court duty plans for five additional custody courts the SCTS announced last week they were re-opening this Wednesday 3 June 2020.
All solicitor updates
13th May 2020
Guidance to help solicitors & clients when providing applicant financial information during Covid-19 for criminal, civil and children's legal aid
Civil
30th April 2020
Guidance on information to send us with paper accounts in Civil cases involving property recovered or preserved to minimise any disruption to payments.
Civil
29th April 2020
Highlights a number of issues that will help ensure your applications for legal aid are processed without delay.
All solicitor updates
28th April 2020
Civil, Children’s and Solemn Criminal legal aid accounts added to those able to take advantage of our extended interim payment processes from 30 April.
Covid-19
See guidance on interim payment claims during the Covid-19 pandemic for various accounts, including criminal, civil & children's legal aid, A&A and ABWOR.
All solicitor updates
20th April 2020
Update explains changes to provisions as to when counsel & solicitor advocates can submit payment to account under Civil, Criminal & Children's legal aid.
Criminal
16th April 2020
Changes for Covid-19 to allow solicitors to grant ABWOR where not attending physical calling of case. Notice of further work on delegated solicitor and half fee
Civil
8th April 2020
We have provided a fillable fields version of the civil financial Form 2 that can be emailed to clients to help during the Covid-19 crisis.
All solicitor updates
8th April 2020
Steps we've put in place to help clients with payments, including contributions, expenses awards, property recovered or preserved, & terminations of legal aid.
Criminal
3rd April 2020
Update confirming that Covid-19 a "good reason" for delegation of a custody appearance by an appointed solicitor.
Criminal
2nd April 2020
Update on three-way video conference calls (solicitor, Advocate & prisoner) on Agent to Prisons video link. Suggested interim solution until SPS investigates.
All solicitor updates
31st March 2020
As a result of measures introduced to deal with the current pandemic, Quality Assurance Schemes and compliance audit visits are suspended for the time being.
All solicitor updates
27th March 2020
New guidance for submitting interim accounts for work done to date, where the Covid-19 situation means there is little prospect of conclusion in the near future
Criminal
26th March 2020
See the Sheriff and JP court arrangements during the Covid-19 pandemic, also includes information on duty swaps and police station duty attendance
All solicitor updates
25th March 2020
See information for submitting paper accounts by secure email and for sending vouching or supporting information.
All solicitor updates
25th March 2020
See our arrangements during the Covid-19 pandemic for alternatives to notifying applicants and opponents by letter for civil, criminal & children's cases.
Criminal
25th March 2020
Find out how to sign up to use the video link to prisons run by the Scottish Prison Service.
All solicitor updates
24th March 2020
See email addresses we've added to the solicitor section of the Contact us page so you can reach the relevant teams directly.
All solicitor updates
20th March 2020
We have developed plans to help solicitors in the face of uncertainty and shifts in the operation of the justice system.
All solicitor updates
18th March 2020
An update from Colin Lancaster on planning for revised arrangements during the current Covid-19 crisis.