Civil news: changes to civil legal aid forms
We are updating the controlled work and certificated work forms for clients to reflect legislative changes.
A laptop showing a large checkbox with a tick symbol.
Why are forms changing?
Changes are being made to accommodate the initial regulation changes being introduced as a result of the Means Test Review (MTR). These come into force on 3 August 2023.
These changes have been made to reflect the introduction of the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) on 1 August 2023.
What are the form changes?
Changes will be made to the following controlled work forms - CW1, CW1&2 MH, CW2 (IMM) and CW5 forms and the following certificated work forms – CIVAPP1, CIVAPP3, CIVAPP6, CIVMEANS3 and CIVMEANS7.
The CIVMEANS4 form (financial assessment form for Child under 16) will be removed on 3 August 2023.
The changes include:
- Amendments to accommodate non means tested areas of controlled work – including HLPAS Early Legal Advice, plus amendments a new declaration for non means tested clients;
- Amendments to introduce non means testing for all under 18’s applying for civil certificated work and controlled legal representation;
- The introduction of a new simplified ‘light touch’ approach for under 18’s applying for controlled work where there is no aggregation;
- Terminology changes to reflect the shift from Domestic Violence to Domestic Abuse
When will the forms be changed?
The new versions of the forms will be published on gov.uk on 3 August 2023 and should be used by all providers from that date. Please note the CW1 form with some of the changes set out above is already available on gov.uk. This version of the form should be used for Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS) work from 1 August 2023 until the new version of the form is published on 3 August 2023.
Any previous versions of the forms will continue to be accepted up to 1 month after the changes take effect (3 September 2023).
Further information
Means Test Review consultation response - Legal Aid Means Test Review
Means Test Review Statutory Instrument - The Criminal and Civil Legal Aid (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (legislation.gov.uk)
Controlled work - application forms
Certificated work - Civil legal aid application forms - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Updates to this page
Last updated 6 July 2023 + show all updates
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Specific rewording of the story to avoid any confusion. The changes have been set out for each document that this story applies to.
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First published.