An overview of important points arising from a legal aid perspective in relation to the new provisions on Success Fee Agreements effective from 27 April 2020.
All solicitor updates
Covid-19: Changes to payments to account for counsel and solicitor advocates
20 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
Covid-19: ABWOR grant now possible without physical calling of case
16 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
Covid-19: Fillable digital Form 2 available for civil applications during pandemic
8 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
FOR SOLICITORS – Covid-19: Help for clients making payments to the Legal Aid Fund
8 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
Covid-19: Appointed solicitor delegation of custody appearance
3 April 2020
Update confirming that Covid-19 a "good reason" for delegation of a custody appearance by an appointed solicitor.
Criminal
Covid-19: Making three-way calls on the Agent to Prison VC link
2 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
Payment timetables – Easter and May holidays 2020
2 April 2020
See the timetables for payments to the profession over Easter and the May holidays 2020.
All solicitor updates
Covid-19: Suspension of Quality Assurance peer review schemes and compliance audit visits
31 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
Covid-19: New interim payments guidance on submitting accounts
27 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
