Crime news: contingency waiver for CRM7 claims ends 6 July 2020
Supporting case files will be required for CRM7 non-standard fee court claims after 6 July when business as usual is restored for this work.
We are restoring the business as usual process for CRM7 non-standard fee magistrates’ court claims after 6 July 2020.
This means ending the current contingency arrangements put in place for CRM7 claims because of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.
How will this affect my work?
After 6 July 2020 we will no longer accept CRM7 claims without the supporting case file. This is because providers will once more have the option of submitting paper CRM7 claims along with case files by post, DX or courier.
However, it should be noted that hand deliveries are not currently being accepted.
Providers will also have the option of using the CRM7 eform for the claim and then submitting the supporting case file by post, DX or courier.
Why is this happening now?
We introduced the special contingency arrangements because we knew that some providers submitting claims electronically would have difficulty accessing case files.
Now that providers have more submission options, we believe the situation is right to return to our original process for CRM7 claims.
What about late contingency claims?
We are unable to handle claims using the contingency process after 6 July. If you send us a CRM7 contingency claims after 6 July it will need to be resubmitted and we will contact you to that effect.
What if I cannot access physical files?
You should contact the criminal finance team on 0300 200 2020 to check how we can support you. We may be able to discuss what needs to be sent electronically for us to process the claim. You should note that we cannot accept files submitted using secure file exchange without prior approval by us.
What about CRM18s and CRM18As?
The contingency process for these claims will continue until further notice. You should refer to the guidance notes below for further details.
Further information
criminalfinance@justice.gov.uk or 0300 200 2020 – for questions about this announcement.
CRM7: non-standard fee magistrates’ court claim and appeal form: Report crime lower work to the Legal Aid Agency.
CRM18: escape fee case claim forms: Forms and guidance for claiming legal aid fees in crime escape cases, including form CRM18a for crime prison law matters.