EFIS 97, November 2013 : Legal Aid

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The Legal Aid Agency has amended three existing forms and created the new CF1 form for changes which the Criminal Legal Aid (Financial Resources) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 will introduce on 2nd December.

Because certain prison law matters will no longer be included in the scope of legal aid from 2nd December, the PL1 form will no longer be required. CRM3 has been updated to reflect this change. PL1 will automatically be removed from your system(s).

Self-employed barristers appearing in civil (non-family) proceedings in the County Court, Upper Tribunal and High Court will be paid on the same basis as other advocates. CF1 is a new form which counsel can use to submit their fee notes but should not be used before 2nd December.

The Legal Aid Agency has amended AF1 to reflect a reduction in fees payable to very high cost cases in criminal legal aid. Although the latest versions of AF1 and CRM7 must be used on or after 2nd December, the Legal Aid Agency has indicated that they can be used before this date.

The amended version of CRM3 should not be used before 2nd December but must be used on or after this date whether or not the client is seen in person or spoken to over the telephone. However, the previous version of CRM3 should be used where the client has been spoken to on the telephone before 2nd December. The Legal Aid Agency must receive the earlier version of CRM3 within 30 days of the phone call.

Finally, CIVCLAIM1A and CIVAPP5 have received macro and field enhancements and can be used immediately.

Forms affected

AF1	Claim for Advocate Graduated Fees (AF1) Under Scheme 6	New/Amended
CRM3	Application for Advocacy Assistance	New/Amended
CRM7	Non-standard fee contract work assessment form	New/Amended
CIVAPP5	Application for legal aid in Special Children Act 1989 Cases	New/Amended
CIVCLAIM1A	Claim for costs in fixed fee family cases	New/Amended
CF1	Counsel Fee Note	New/Amended

Crown copyright forms are reproduced with the permission of the Controller of the Stationery Office. Law Society forms are reproduced with the permission of the Law Society. Legal Aid Forms are produced with the permission of the LSC.