Applications for criminal legal aid
With effect from Tuesday 6 August, all new applications for criminal legal aid should be submitted using the new Crime Apply service.
We hear from providers that the new Crime Apply service is quicker and easier to use than eForms.
If providers have any applications that were started in eForms (and a date stamp obtained) but which haven’t yet been completed the eForm system will remain open to complete these applications until Tuesday 27 August.
We have extended this window by a week to support providers during what we know is a challenging time.
It will not be possible to submit pending applications (including previously rejected applications) through eForms after the Tuesday 27 August. In these circumstances, providers should take the following steps:
- Create a new application in Crime Apply
- Attach a screenshot of the date stamp held on the eForms application - this will be Page 1 which holds the date stamp information and page 5 which shows the offences being applied for. We recommend providers start to take the necessary screenshots well in advance of the Tuesday 27 August.
- Put a note on the Apply application in the “further information” section that the application was originally created in eForms.
After Tuesday 27 August, providers will still be able to get details of any eForm application previously made by contacting the online support team on 0300 200 2020