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Civil Contingency

A dedicated space for contingency measures for civil applications and amendments effective from Monday 15 December 2025. 
 
This new process replaces the previous contingency process which was effective from Friday 27 June 2025 until Friday 12 December 2025. 

Summary of changes effective from Monday 15 December 2025 (Back to top)

  • The LAA has stopped accepting applications/amendments and Prior Authorities or any other associated tasks by email from Friday 12 December 2025.  
  • All submissions should be submitted via CCMS/Civil Apply from Monday 15 December 2025. If any work has been submitted to the LAA but has yet to appear on CCMS, please continue to use the existing contingency arrangements.  
  • From the 1 December 2025 emergency representation granted under delegated functions will contain 24 weeks and £6,750 cost limitation. Any emergency representation granted under delegated functions in contingency prior to the 1 December 2025 will contain 32 weeks and £9,000.
  • From 1 December 2025 providers will no longer have the authority to use delegated functions to amend a substantive certificate. Providers will be required to submit amendment requests on CCMS were possible. 
  • Providers can until further notice withdraw funding where the application has not yet been uploaded onto CCMS under the circumstances listed in the contingency guidance.
  • Contribution payments will continue to be waived for any applications until further notice.
  • If a provider doesn’t have system access, please follow the contingency measures.

Withdrawals (Back to top)

Under the new arrangements until further notice providers will be able to withdraw funding where the application has not yet been uploaded onto CCMS in the following circumstances:

  • The services made available by the determination have been provided  
  • The proceedings to which the determination relates have been concluded  
  • The individual consents  
  • The individual has died

In the above circumstance providers will need to make a file note that funding has been withdrawn, and update CCMS when access is restored.  

For all other withdrawal reasons provider should submit the CIV APP11 form with all relevant information provided. These should be emailed to contactcivil@justice.gov.uk..

If the categories of cases is undertaken by ECCT, then the APP will be emailed to ContactECC@justice.gov.uk. Include the word ‘Withdrawal’ in the email subject line for identification. We will be in contact with any discharge or show cause issued on the certificate.  

Outcomes will need to be submitted via CCMS once system access has been restored to enable the submission of your claim for costs.  

Additional guidance on withdrawals where the client has died can be found under the Lord Chancellor’s guidance under section 4 at paragraph 8.38. 

Exclusions

In contentious cases (e.g., ineligibility, fraud) — the decision to withdraw will remain with the LAA. 

Please note that if the case is now on CCMS, that the request to Withdraw needs to be submitted via CCMS.

Contributions (Back to top)

Contribution payments will be suspended for any applications received on or after the 27 June 2025 until further notice. Payments will become payable once a further Statutory Instrument is laid that reverses this. The LAA will still complete assessments on new cases but not request contributions whilst the suspension is in place.  

These changes also apply to any cases received before 27 June 2025. Please inform clients making monthly contributions to stop making payments in respect of any which are due on or after 27 June 2025. Payments will be reinstated when these changes are reversed at a later date. 

Please note, the provisions in the Statutory Instrument prevent clients who have made contributions on an existing case from seeking its withdrawal and reapplying for funding in the same matter to which the initial civil legal services have been provided. 

Contributions Summary

  • Contribution payments will be suspended for any applications received on or after the 27 June 2025 until further notice. 
  • We will complete means assessments on new cases but not request contributions whilst the suspension is in place.  
  • These changes also apply to any cases received before 27 June 2025. 
  • Clients making monthly contributions will be advised to stop making payments in respect of any which are due on or after 27 June 2025. 
  • Payments will be reinstated when these changes are reversed later, when a new Statutory Instrument is introduced.

Reassessments (Back to top)

Reassessment requests will only be accepted where a provider believes that a client is now out of scope to receive legal aid or where there is evidence that the client has failed to make a material disclosure when applying for legal aid. Your client may also be asked to provide fresh means forms where the LAA has received representations from a third party which cast significant doubt on the client’s ongoing eligibility for legal aid.

There is no need to submit a reassessment of the client’s means if their financial circumstances have changes, unless:

  • You believe the client is now out of scope 
  • Failed to disclose material information, which would have put them out of scope. 

If the case is on CCMS when the notification should be submitted via CCMS. 

If the case relates to a contingency case which has yet to be added to CCMS, then submit the reassessment request via email to contactcivil@justice.gov.uk and include the word ‘Reassessment’ in the email subject line for identification. 

In circumstances where you are unsure if your client still remains financially eligible, please submit a query via CCMS if the case is on CCMS or via email to contactcivil@justice.gov.uk if the case it yet to be added to CCMS, for us to advise if a reassessment is required. 

Please note that these measures will remain in place until further notice reinstated when these changes are reversed at a later date.

Summary of New Contingency Arrangements (Back to top)

Now that system access has been restored, all application and amendment will now be submitted via CCMS or Apply. 

The following guide set the new contingency arrangements effective from Monday 15 December 2025. The scenarios when contingency should be used are: 

  • When a provider doesn’t have access to the system due to a particular technical issue which is only affecting them.  
  • When a wider issue is affecting system access for all providers.
  • When work has been submitted under Contingency but is yet to appear on CCMS.
  • When a provider is granted a new contract under ‘Always On’. and doesn’t have system access for the new contract.

Individual Provider doesn’t have system access (Back to top)

In the event an individual provider doesn’t have system access due to a technical issue excluding ‘Always On’ then this is known as Level 1 Contingency. 

Please use the following guidance for Level 1 Contingency. 

Please contact our Online Support Team in the first instance to report the technical issue and if they are unable to resolve, then please contact our Customer Support Team who will provide you with a contingency number if the request is urgent and you are unable to use your delegated functions. 

In the event the request isn’t urgent, then there is no need submit the application/amendment until such time as the matter becomes urgent. If you have the facility to exercise your delegated functions then the expectation is that you will use your delegated functions when reasonable, rather than submit the application/amendment. 

Please submit the application/amendment with the relevant submit the civil application forms and civil means-testing forms with supporting documents which are relevant to the merits of the case and the client’s financial means assessment direct to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA Contingency (Contingency Reference Number) – Type of Application form – Type of Means Form (if applicable) – client’s name – firm name’.

The application/amendment will be uploaded onto the system and processed within CCMS. 

If the caseworker required additional information, you will be emailed notification of the further information and asked to reply to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA Contingency FI (Contingency Reference Number) – Type of Application form – Type of Means Form (if applicable) – client’s name – firm name’.

Once a determination of funding has been made, notification of the decision will be forwarded via email. Once system access is restored the notification will also be forwarded via CCMS. 

Wider system issue affecting majority of providers (Back to top)

If the LAA experiences wider system issues affecting most providers, this is known as Level 2 Contingency. 

The decision on when the LAA will introduce Level 2 Contingency will be made LAA and this will be communication to providers and their representatives. 

Please do not submit applications/amendment under Level 2 Contingency until such time as the LAA has sent notification that Level 2 Contingency has been enacted. If you do so, the application/amendment will be rejected back to you. 

In the event the request isn’t urgent, then there is no need submit the application/amendment until such time as the matter becomes urgent. If you have the facility to exercise your delegated functions then the expectation is that you will use your delegated functions when reasonable, rather than submit the application/amendment. 

There will be no requirement to contact our Online Support Team or our Customer Support Team, there will be no need to obtain a contingency number. 

Please use the following guidance on submitting requests to the LAA. 

Please submit the application/amendment with the relevant submit the civil application forms and civil means-testing forms with supporting documents which are relevant to the merits of the case and the client’s financial means assessment direct to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA Contingency – Type of Application form – Type of Means Form (if applicable) – client’s name – firm name’. 

The application/amendment will be uploaded onto the system and processed within CCMS. 

If the caseworker required additional information, you will be emailed notification of the further information and asked to reply to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA Level 2 FI (Contingency Reference Number) – Type of Application form – Type of Means Form (if applicable) – client’s name – firm name’.

Once a determination of funding has been made, notification of the decision will be forwarded via email. Once system access is restored the notification will also be forwarded via CCMS. 

If the wider system issues persist then the LAA will consider if a new version of Business Continuity Plus needs to be introduced. 

Existing work processed under BC+, still to appear on CCMS (Back to top)

The LAA is currently in the recovery phase now that system access has been restored and working to update CCMS with the backlog of decision to be uploaded to our systems. 

If you have previously granted yourself funding under BC+ (Business Continuity Plus) but the application hasn’t been processed by the LAA to date. In the event you need to apply for urgent additional coverage and you don’t have to facility to use your delegated functions, then please use the following guidelines. 

Equally if you have previously been provided with a paper decision by the LAA under BC+ but the case/decision hasn’t been entered onto CCMS. In the event you need to apply for urgent additional coverage and you don’t have to facility to use your delegated functions, then please use the following guidelines. 

Please note there is no need to contact our Customer Services Team for a reference number, please submit the application/amendment as follows:

Scenario 1

You previously granted yourself funding under BC+ (Business Continuity Plus) but you are yet to submit the application to the LAA. 

Please urgently submit the original application where you used your delegated function via CCMS or Apply. Once done submit the amendment for the additional coverage you seek with the relevant submit the civil application forms  (CIVAPP8) and supporting documents which are relevant to the merits of the case to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

Please also provide the CCMS reference number of the application you recently submitted. 

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA BC+ Scenario 1– Amendment – client’s name – firm name.

Scenario 2

You previously granted yourself funding under BC+ (Business Continuity Plus), you have submitted the application to the LAA but the LAA hasn’t processed the application. 

Please submit the amendment for the additional coverage you seek with the relevant submit the civil application forms  (CIVAPP8) and supporting documents which are relevant to the merits of the case to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

Please also provide the CCMS reference number of the application submitted but not yet processed. 

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA BC+ Scenario 2– Amendment – client’s name – firm name.

Scenario 3

Previously you have been provided with a paper decision by the LAA under BC+ (Business Continuity) but the case/decision hasn’t been entered onto CCMS. 

Please submit the amendment for the additional coverage you seek with the relevant submit the civil application forms  (CIVAPP8) and supporting documents which are relevant to the merits of the case to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA BC+ Scenario 3– Amendment – client’s name – firm name. 

Please also include the BC+ contingency reference, you were provided with when you received the paper decision from the LAA. 

Then regardless of if Scenario 1, 2 or 3 applies, the application/amendment will be uploaded onto the system and processed within CCMS. 

If the caseworker required additional information, you will be emailed notification of the further information and asked to reply to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA BC+ and FI (CCMS/Contingency Reference Number) – Type of Application form – client’s name – firm name’.

Once a determination of funding has been made, notification of the decision will be forwarded via email. Once system access is restored the notification will also be forwarded via CCMS.

Always On Contingency Arrangement (Back to top)

‘Always On’ will form part of the current contingency process for the Legal Aid Agency. 

This guide sets out the requirement of the contingency arrangements for civil case management when a provider is issued with a new contact under ‘Always On’. 

At this time, we are unable to activate your user account on our Sign in to Legal Aid Services (SiLAS) or our Civil Apply and CCMS system due to a data refresh being required to update our active contract list, to include all new account numbers, occurring on an approximate monthly cycle. 

The following guide sets out the criteria when a provider should submit an application/amendment to the Legal Aid Agency when they are a granted a new contract under ‘Always On’. 

Please note if you retain system access for proceedings covered under your existing/previous contract you should continue to use CCMS or Apply when applicable.

You should only use the ‘Always On’ contingency arrangements for new proceedings granted under the new contract when you don’t have system access for these proceedings. 

The criteria when the provider should and shouldn’t submit an application/amendment is as follows:

The facility to use Delegated Functions (Back to top)

Where the provider has the facility to exercise delegated functions, they should exercise their delegated functions in line with the Table of Delegated Functions and retain until such time as when they have system access.

The exclusions to use of delegated functions are:

  • Judicial Review (apart from the exceptions to the Table of Delegated Authorities) 
  • Exceptional Case Funding  
  • Determination is dependent on the case having Significant Wider Public Interest 

Providers can exercise delegated functions on condition or limitation only where:

  • Providers had the power to grant emergency representation in the first place 
  • The amendment being limited to work or a stage of the proceedings satisfying the interests of justice test for emergency representation

Amending Emergency Coverage (Back to top)

Providers already have the power to re-exercise their delegated functions. During this contingency period, these powers will remain in place whilst the emergency certificate is valid. Providers will record the re-exercising their delegated functions in accordance with the original exercising of their delegated functions. 

The LAA will honour all uses of Delegated Functions on the basis that this is subject to compliance with the Contract, Regulation and Authorisation. If it is determined that the merits criteria are not met at the point the LAA assesses the application, an embargo and/or discharge of the emergency certificate will take place from that date. Providers will be able to claim for work up to that date.

The provider can amend a condition of limitation for emergency representation only where:

  • They had the power to grant emergency representation in the first place. 
  • The amendment being limited to work or a stage of the proceedings satisfying the interests of justice test for emergency representation. 

Non-Means/Non-Merits Cases (Back to top)

Providers are authorised to sign off on applications and carry on work in non-means and non-merits tested cases. Once a provider has system access, applications can be submitted, and certificates will be backdated to the initial date work began.

  • Providers will note their records when they have granted themselves funding for Special Children Act cases 
  • Providers will not submit their application for Special Children Act cases until access is restored

Please note to be in scope the proceedings need to fall under the definition of a Special Children Act case, and the parties need to be either the:

  • Child in the proceedings 
  • Biological Parent 
  • Party with Parental Responsibility for the child in the proceedings

Other Cases (Back to top)

If the application/amendment doesn’t fall within the scope mentioned above, then the provider will need to submit the application to the Legal Aid Agency to decide on funding. 

Please use the following guidance on submitting requests to the LAA. 

Please note there is no need to contact our Customer Services Team for a reference number, please submit the application/amendment as follows:  

Please submit the application/amendment with the relevant submit the civil application forms and civil means-testing forms with supporting documents which are relevant to the merits of the case and the client’s financial means assessment direct to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA Always On – Type of Application form – Type of Means Form (if applicable) – client’s name – firm name’.

Please also ensure you attach a copy of the notification letter sent when you were granted the new contract under ‘Always On’. 

The application/amendment will be processed offline until such time as you have access to the system. 

If the caseworker required additional information, you will be emailed notification of the further information and asked to reply to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk.  

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA Always On (Contingency Reference Number) – Type of Application form – Type of Means Form (if applicable) – client’s name – firm name’.

Once a determination of funding has been made, notification of the decision will be forwarded via email. Once system access is available the application for funding will be uploaded onto CCMS by the LAA and notification of the decision will also be forwarded via CCMS.

Submitting requests to the LAA (Back to top)

The following section will provide information about submitting civil applications/amendment under Contingency including:

  • Summary of Application Forms 
  • Summary of Means Forms 
  • How to submit an application 
  • Submitting a Query to the LAA 
  • When to Contact CST 
  • Using Secure File Exchange

Summary of Application Forms (Back to top)

CIV APP1  

The CIV APP1 form is used to apply for civil legal aid in non-family legal cases in England and Wales. Please use this form to cover the following matter types: 

  • Clinical Negligence
  • Community Care 
  • Housing
  • Debt
  • Public Law
  • Immigration and Asylum
  • Education
  • Welfare Benefits
  • Mental Health
  • Discrimination
  • Claims Against Public Authorities
  • Crime/Civil (Judicial Review or Habeas Corpus arising out of a criminal matter or proceedings under POCA 2002).

When submitting this form, please ensure that this is signed and dated by both provider and client. Failure to do so will result in the form being rejected. 

CIV APP3  

The CIV APP3 form is used to apply for civil legal aid in family legal cases in England and Wales. Please use this form for the following matter types:  

  • Divorce, Judicial Separation, Dissolution of Civil Partnership, Nullity
  • Injunction and Committal
  • Financial and Property
  • Merits Tested S31 Proceedings
  • Actions involving children including child abduction
  • Merits tested public law children cases.

When submitting this form, please ensure that this is signed and dated by both provider and client. Failure to do so will result in the form being rejected. 

CIV APP6 

The CIVAPP6 form is used in England and Wales for making an emergency application for civil legal aid.  

The CIVAPP6 should be used in the following instances:

  • It is used only in emergencies where immediate legal aid is needed 
  • It should not be used if emergency funding can be granted using Delegated Functions
  • It is not applicable for Exceptional Case Funding applications.

When submitting this form, please ensure that this is signed and dated by the provider. Failure to do so will result in the form being rejected.

CIV APP8 

The CIV APP8 form is used to apply for an amendment or prior authority in civil legal aid cases in England and Wales. It is a document that allows providers to request amendments to an existing legal aid certificate or to seek approval for specific actions or costs before they are incurred. 

The CIV APP8 is used for all matter types.  

When submitting this form, please ensure that this is signed and dated by the provider. Failure to do so will result in the form being rejected.

CIV APP8A 

The CIVAPP8A form is used in civil legal aid cases in England and Wales to apply for prior authority or a change to a cost limitation, particularly in relation to expert evidence or unusually high costs. 

This form is specifically designed for situations where: 

  • You are seeking prior authority for expert costs that are either: 
  1. Not covered by codified rates, or 
  2. Unusually large in volume (e.g. number of hours or experts involved) 
  • You need to change the cost limitation on an existing certificate. 
  • The case involves joint instruction of experts, and you are the lead solicitor responsible for apportioning costs among parties.  

When submitting this form, please ensure that this is signed and dated by the provider. Failure to do so will result in the form being rejected.

Please note the APP8A should be used for Prior Authority and a cost increase which is a result of the Prior Authority. 
 
When you seek a scope amendment and a Prior Authority, please complete the APP8 for the scope increase and separate APP8A for the Prior Authority.

CIV APP11 

The CIVAPP11 form is used to request the withdrawal of a civil legal aid certificate in England and Wales.

When submitting this form, please ensure that this is signed and dated by the provider. Failure to do so will result in the form being rejected. 

If required, please upload documentation which sets out the reasons for your request to discharge (for example, counsels opinion, expert report).

Please note that all forms must be signed and dated by all the relevant parties. Failure to sign and date the form, means the application form will be returned to those sections to be completed.

When completing this form, please ensure that you complete all sections which are relevant to the proceedings you require.

Please ensure that you confirm what documents you are uploading in support of the form.

Summary of Means Forms (Back to top)

Please note if your client is a child and aged 18 or under, then you don’t submit a means form as part of Continency, you only need to submit the relevant application form, as children are deemed to be a non-means case.

There are 2 main types of means forms, which will cover the majority of means assessments you need to submit under Contingency, these are:

The CIV Means 1 is used when the client is not in receipt of a passported benefit.

The CIV Means 2 is used when the client is in receipt of a passported benefit.

Client in Prison

  • If the client is currently in prison you will need to complete a CIV Means1P in addition to the CIV Means1.

Self-employed, Partnership and Company Directors

In addition to a Means1 if the client is Self-employed, Partnership and Company Directors, you will need to submit additional forms.

  • If the client is a self-employed sole-trader, you will need to submit a CIV Means1A.
  • If the client is trading as a self-employed partnership you will need to submit a CIV Means1B. 
  • If the client is a company director, you will also need to submit a CIV Means1C in addition to the CIV Means1. 
  • If the client is in receipt of a passported benefit and is involved Self-employed, Partnership and Company Directors, then you will need to submit a CIV Means2A in addition to the Means2.
  • In circumstances where the client is in business partnership or self-employed work you will also need to submit an L31 form.

Client lives aboard

  • If your client is residing outside of the UK, then you will need to submit a CIV Means3.

Please note that all forms must be signed and dated by the client and their partner (if applicable). Failure to sign and date the form, means the form will be returned to those sections to be completed.

When completing this form, please ensure that you complete all sections which are relevant to the proceedings you require.

Please ensure that you confirm what documents you are uploading in support of the form.

How to submit a Contingency application/amendment to the LAA (Back to top)

Providers will be able to submit the civil application forms and civil means-testing forms with supporting documents which are relevant to the merits of the case and the client’s financial means assessment direct to ContactCivil@justice.gov.uk. 

To ensure the email is assigned to the correct team as quick as possible please ensure the subject line is titled ‘LAA (Type of Contingency) – Type of Application form – Type of Means Form (if applicable) – client’s name – firm name’.

In the example below the type of Contingency is Always On.

Emergency Applications (Back to top)

CIV APP6 should be used when there is no time to make a full application and delegated functions cannot be used. To support the assessment, include: 

  • Statement of case 
  • Pre action correspondence 
  • Counsel’s opinion if obtained/relevant 
  • Any documents relevant to the application such as court orders, applications to court, opponents statement etc 
  • The relevant means form and supporting documents (unless the client is a child) 
  • Evidence of domestic abuse or child protection (private law family matters only)

Substantive Applications (Back to top)

Where a provider cannot delegate functions, the provider should use a CIV APP1 for legal representation in non-family proceedings or a CIV APP3 for family help (higher) and legal representation in family proceedings. These forms need to be accompanied with the relevant civil Means assessment forms (please note no means form is required where the applicant is a child). To support the assessment, include: 

  • Statement of case in support of application 
  • Valid LASPO evidence to bring the new proceedings into scope (if applicable) 
  • Pre action correspondence (if applicant/Claimant) 
  • Counsel’s opinion if obtained/relevant 
  • Any other documents relevant to the application such as court orders, applications to court, opponents statement etc.

Please note where the Domestic Violence Waiver applies the client will only qualify for the protective injunction proceedings, any other proceedings applied for when the client is out of scope financially will be ultra vires.

CCMS applications: merits – Legal Aid Learning

‘Right first time’ tips – Legal Aid Learning

Means Assessments (Back to top)

If your client is on a passported benefit they will need to complete the CIV Means 2 form ensuring all sections are completed and the form is signed and dated.

Any evidence required to support the assessment should also be attached to avoid delays in requests for further information.

  • Please note if your client is in receipt of a passporting benefit but also self-employed or in a business partnership, they must also complete form CIV Means 2A. Wherever possible, passported applications should also be submitted with a screenshot or download of the client’s latest monthly Universal Credit notification (the latter is not essential, but will speed up the passporting process if it is provided). 
  • If your client is not on a passported benefit they will need to complete the CIV Means 1 form ensuring all sections are completed and the form is signed and dated. Any evidence required to support the assessment should also be attached to avoid delays in requests for further information, i.e. wage slips, bank statements.   
  • If your client is self-employed, they will also be required to submit a CIV Means 1A, if the client is trading in a self-employed partnership they will also need to complete the CIV Means 1B or the CIV Means 1C if they are a company director or shareholder in a limited company to accompany the CIV Means 1. 
  • If the client is a child there is no requirement to submit a Means form.

‘Trapped’ capital – practicalities and case studies – Legal Aid Learning

Civil Means Assessments of Self-Employed Clients – Legal Aid Learning

Civil Means Company Directors and Shareholders – Legal Aid Learning 

Means assessment frequently asked questions – Legal Aid Learning

Financial assessment forms checklist, civil representation

‘Right first time’ tips – Legal Aid Learning

Submitting a Query/Means Review/Appeal to the LAA (Back to top)

Queries

For all queries when you don’t have system access, please email contactcivil@justice.gov.uk. Include the word ‘Query’ in the email subject line for identification. For case-specific queries, include the following details to assist the caseworker:

  • Certificate reference number / Contingency number 
  • Relevant case details and supporting evidence (if applicable)

Means Reviews

If you want a review of an assessment that has already been completed on CCMS you will need to provide a copy of the application plus the associated documentation that was originally uploaded onto the system emailed to contactcivil@justice.gov.uk. Please ensure the subject line of the email is titled LAA (Type of Contingency) – Means Review – client’s name – firm name. 

In the example below the type of Contingency is when an individual provider doesn’t have system access.

Appeals

If you wish to request a review of a decision made by the LAA under this process, please submit your appeal via email to contactcivil@justice.gov.uk within 14 days of the decision being communicated. Please ensure the subject line of the email is titled (LAA Type of Contingency) – Appeal – client’s name – firm name.

Your submission should contain: 

  • A full statement of appeal 
  • Any supporting documentation 
  • Relevant client details 
  • The decision you are requesting to be reviewed 

You will receive a response once the review is complete. If the original decision is upheld, we will inform you of any further right of appeal to an independent funding adjudicator. 

Where a provider withdraws a determination and the client seeks a review, the same process will apply.

Please note that when submitting a query/means review/appeal if the matter relates to an ECCT case then please email ContactECC@justice.gov.uk.

When to contact the Customer Services Team (CST) (Back to top)

The Customer Service Team can be contacted on 0300 200 2020. For non-urgent requests please email your query to contactcivil@justice.gov.uk in the first instance.

If the matter is urgent within the next 48 hours then please contact CST, unless you have exercised delegated functions.

When calling please have the following details to hand, so the call handler can locate the case on the Contingency database:

  • Name of Client
  • Date of Birth of Client
  • Address of Client

Please note that there will be a time delay between you submitting your application/amendment via contactcivil@justice.gov.uk and the case appearing on the database. The call handler will only be view the progress on the application/amendment submitted via Contingency, once the case is on the database.

Using Secure File Exchange (Back to top)

For large bundles of documents that cannot be sent via email please contact SFESupport@justice.gov.uk to register for access to Secure File Exchange.

If you have previously used Secure File Exchange to submit documents to the LAA, you will still need to contact SFESupport@justice.gov.uk to request access to this specific workspace of Civil Applications following this guidance on the use of Secure File Exchange found on Legal Aid Learning.

Contingency Measures for ECCT (Back to top)

If recourse to contingency is required, please view the ECCT submission guidance for further information on how to submit work.  

Please send the contingency request to contactecc@justice.gov.uk, using the requisite form, cover sheet and with supporting documents that are relevant to the application. An explanation as to why a contingency application is needed will also be required. 

Please note that contingency request can be sent to ECCT in the following circumstances:

  • Where you have been directed to use contingency by the Online Support Team due to unresolved technical issues. 
  • Where a contingency application was refused and you want to appeal. 
  • Where there is an ongoing case plan not yet uploaded to CCMS by ECCT and further case plan costs are needed urgently. 
  • Where there is an initial grant of funding not yet uploaded to CCMS by ECCT and you need an urgent amendment. 

Contingency Processes High-Cost Family (HCF) (Back to top)

To ensure providers are working with the most up-to-date information regarding High Cost Family (HCF) work, the current processes are outlined below.  

For any new cases, providers should submit through CCMS as usual.  

For any ongoing level 2 cases that are not yet on CCMS providers should email highcostfamily@justice.gov.uk.    

To assist the team with processing your submission via email please use this coversheet.    

Please do not email case managers directly.   

Queries

Please submit all queries via CCMS as a VHCC Enquiry or Case Enquiry.

Amendments

Please submit all amendment requests via CCMS.

Registration Requests

Please submit all registration requests via CCMS – this includes exceptional requests.  

To request Authority for King’s Counsel or Two Counsel please submit an amendment via CCMS.

Extension to Deadlines

Requests for deadline extensions should be submitted by CCMS and must include:  

  • Length of extension required including justification.

Large Volume Submissions

For large bundles of documents that cannot be sent via email please contact SFESupport@justice.gov.uk to register for access to Secure File Exchange. If you already have access to the High-Cost Family workspace within Secure File Exchange, please upload your documents as usual. Further guidance on the use of Secure File Exchange can be found here;   

Guidance for external requests to use secure file exchange (SFE) – Legal Aid Learning  
 
Please ensure all submissions are clearly labelled and include the relevant reference details to help expedite processing. We appreciate your cooperation and will continue to provide updates as processes evolve. 

For all High-Cost Family related work please view the High Cost Family (HCF) Contingency Processes for further information on how to submit work. Please use the High Cost Family submission cover sheet to support your submissions. 

Gateway Evidence Check Q&A (Back to top)

What is this email address for?

Under the contingency process we have advised providers to use their delegated functions to cover urgent work where possible. For certain private law matters evidence of domestic abuse or child protection is needed to bring the proceeding within scope of legal aid. Given these types of evidence are prescribed by regulation to meet certain criteria, we sometimes cannot honour the use of delegated functions where those criteria are not met. To mitigate this, we are offering this email service so providers can check with the LAA whether evidence would be considered valid to bring the matter into scope before delegated functions are used. 

Do I need to check every piece of gateway evidence prior to delegating functions?

There is no need to email every piece of evidence to the LAA using this service prior to delegating functions. This service is only intended to be available where the provider is concerned that the evidence may not be accepted by the LAA.

Most evidence received is straightforward such as protective injunctions, evidence of conviction or findings of fact. Likewise, evidence where a 3rd party has used the full templates and not removed any fundamental wording are not considered to need checking.

Only those pieces of evidence where the matter is considered to be borderline should be sent. The LAA only have limited capacity for this service so excessive use for straightforward evidence will not be allowed.

How will the process work?

The provider needs to email gatewayevidencecheck@justice.gov.uk with the gateway evidence.

They should also provide:

  • Clients name
  • Opponents name
  • Proceedings to be applied for and involvement type

The LAA will look at the evidence and respond to advise if the evidence is acceptable. If we state it is acceptable then please provide the email we have sent confirming this when you submit the application to the LAA.

If we advise the evidence is not acceptable we will give reasons why not.

Is there a right of appeal?

As this is not a determination being made there is no right of review. Providers can still rely on the evidence in their application if they so choose.

Links to external guidance regarding the cyber-attack and our contingency processes (Back to top)

Please see the FAQ page regarding the cyber-attack and our contingency processes. 

Please see the further information on Civil System Restoration: Civil System Restoration – Handling of Contingency Work – GOV.UK 

Regulations/Guidance:

General:

Means:

Merits:

Prior Authority:

High-Cost Family:

ECCT: