Stage reports no longer required in all situations

We have changed the stage reporting process that you use to tell us about key developments in a civil case. The change is part of our continuing work looking at our processes to see if they can be simplified for you and us.

Our civil guidance has been updated and explains:

• When do I need to make an unprompted stage report? This sets out when and why a stage report is required.

Why is the stage reporting process being changed?

In 2003, we introduced stage reporting to help with the operation of this regulation. Our guidance set out a range of situations where a stage report was needed.

We have carried out a review of our guidance and no longer need to see reports in all of those situations. The introduction of case cost limits in 2013, which are now in place for the vast majority of grants of civil legal aid, reduces the importance of stage reports for most cases.

If you have any queries about this please contact Catriona Whyte at whyteca@slab.org.uk or on 0131 240 2088