Civil news: understanding when a case needs exceptional funding
Clarification on answering the scope funding question when making your online application in the Client and Cost Management System.
Remember to make the correct selections when working your way through the online legal aid funding application process if you want to avoid delays.
More than 100 applications or amendments a month are currently marked incorrectly as requiring exceptional case funding.
Scope questions
One part of the application process which seems to be causing confusion concerns the 2 options offered to providers when they come to the drop-down menu scope questions under this section:
‘ECF: In scope Schedule 1 Legal Aid Sentencing & Punishment of Offenders Act 2012’ within Section 10 Exceptional Funding.
- You should select ‘yes’ if the case is in scope for funding and does not require exceptional case funding.
- You should select ‘no’ if the case is out of scope for funding and does require exceptional funding.
Exceptional funding hyperlink
If the proceedings are outside the scope of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 you must use the exceptional funding hyperlink. This appears on page 2 of your application.
Further information
CCMS training website: exceptional cases FAQs – to download fact-sheet
CCMS training website: making an initial application – to download quick guides