Criminal legal aid: replacing eforms
The new service to receive legal aid applications, Apply for Criminal Legal Aid, has now replaced eForms CRM14 and CRM15.
The new service to receive legal aid applications, Apply for Criminal Legal Aid, has now replaced eForms CRM14 and CRM15. All new applications should be made using the new Apply for Criminal Legal Aid service.
In response to provider feedback, the deadline for submission has been extended to Friday 4 October for:
- CRM4 - Apply for prior authority to incur disbursements
- CRM5 - Apply for extension of upper limits
- CRM7- Claim a non-standard magistrates’ court payment
- CRM14/15 - if applications started in eForms before Wednesday 18 September 2024
Apply for Criminal Legal Aid (CRM14 and CRM15)
The Apply for Criminal Legal Aid service was mandated on Tuesday 6 August 2024. Since then, we have monitored how Apply performs with increased volumes of applications through the service.
We are pleased to confirm the live service has performed well and, as a result, we are switching off the ability to submit new CRM14/15 eForm applications (The ability to submit new eForm applications will end on) from Tuesday 17 September 2024. This means that the Apply for Criminal Legal Aid service will be the singular way to submit applications for criminal legal aid from that date onwards.
We have listened to your feedback and, in recognition of the pressure we understand providers are under, we are extending the window for applications started in eForms but not yet submitted, to be completed within the eForm service to Friday 4 October.
It will not be possible to submit pending applications (including previously rejected applications) through eForms after Friday 4 October. 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 Friday 4 October.
- Put a note on the Apply application in the “further information” section that the application was originally created in eForms.
Post Submission Evidence
Should post submission evidence (PSE) be required for applications made via eForms this will need to be submitted through post or email once eForms is removed. When eForms is no longer available any PSE relating to an eForms application should be submitted via email to any one of the following:
- BirminghamCAT@justice.gov.uk,
- NottinghamCAT@justice.gov.uk,
- LiverpoolCAT@justice.gov.uk, and
- Self-employed PSE can be sent to nationalcrimeteam@justice.gov.uk
Please ensure you are keeping a note of MAAT/URN references so that these can be linked to your original application.
Non-Standard Crime Claims/Applications - CRM4, CRM5 and CRM7
The replacement services for CRM4 and CRM5 eForms are now live and all providers should use the new services to submit applications.
These services are now available on LAA Online Portal (legalservices.gov.uk), with immediate effect. If you have not received an email confirming that you have been onboarded, please contact NSCC@justice.gov.uk.
We are currently onboarding providers onto the CRM7 replacement digital service and providers should use the new service once the onboarding notification is received.
Providers will not be able to submit new CRM4 or CRM5 applications or CRM7 claims using eForms after the Friday 4 October.
Accessing historic eForms
Access historic eForms via the eForms portal until Friday 25 October 2024.
Following this date, all historic eForms will be made available to you by LAA via an e-mail request to online-support@justice.gov.uk or by calling 0300 200 2020 - select option 3.
The team aim to respond to all requests within 5 working days.
Download copies of any eForms that you might require before Friday 25 October 2024.
Apply for Criminal Legal Aid (CRM14 and CRM15)
We are aware of a user issue in relation to the National Insurance number and Interest of Justice box not appearing , which blocks the user from proceeding. Reports of this issue have been low with only 5 known incidents reported.
This is not an issue with the Apply service and instead signals an internal issue around the provider’s IT security settings. If you encounter this problem, please get in touch and we will assist you. After you have followed the recommended steps the issue should not reoccur.
How you can help
Your feedback helps us to develop services that meet your needs so please get in touch to let us know what is working well for you and whether there is anything you would like to see developed within the services next. Feedback can be provided by using the feedback form within the Apply for Criminal Legal Aid service. Should you have a technical query, please get in touch with our Online Support Team who will be able to help you.
Relevant dates
Transition from CRM14 and 15 to Apply for Criminal Legal Aid: Tuesday 6 August
CRM14/15 eForms to be switched off to new applications: Tuesday 17 September
Cut off for providers submitting new forms for CRM4, 5 and 7: Friday 4 October
Cut off for providers using eForms to submit CRM14/15 applications started in eForms: Friday 4 October
Cut off for access to eForms for assessment and providers accessing historical forms: Friday 25 October