Use Digital Apply service for all criminal legal aid applications
Applications for criminal legal aid must now be submitted via Apply for criminal legal aid.
CRM14 or CRM15 applications should not be submitted using eForms unless you have authority from the LAA to do so.
Apply for criminal legal aid has 100 per cent functionality so all applications should now be submitted via this service. Further developments are already underway, we have listened to your feedback and are prioritising developing the facility to view the outcome of an application within Apply. Please continue to provide feedback as this will help to inform future iterations of the service. Feedback can be provided here.
You can access the service from your usual portal access under the link “Apply for criminal legal aid”.
You can find further information on accessing the service and FAQs about the service on our training and support website here: Course: Applying for Criminal Legal Aid (justice.gov.uk).
Applications started in eForms prior to 6 August 2024
If you have any applications that were started in eForms (and a date stamp obtained) but have not yet been submitted, the eForm system will remain open to submit these applications until Tuesday 27 August 2024.
We have extended this window 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 Tuesday 27 August 2024. In these circumstances, providers can submit the application via Apply for Criminal Legal Aid as detailed in the FAQs document here: Course: Applying for Criminal Legal Aid (justice.gov.uk).
After Tuesday 27 August 2024, you will still be able to see historic eForms in the eForms service until 25 October 2024. After this date, you can request historic eForms for submitted or rejected applications via an e-mail to online-support@justice.gov.uk.
If you have any further queries not covered in the FAQ document, you can contact the Legal Aid Agency via the following routes:
Apply for criminal legal aid applications technical support:
Online chat – Ministry of Justice: Contact Us
Phone – 0300 200 2020 – option 3
Email – Online-Support@justice.gov.uk
Apply for criminal legal aid applications operational support:
Online chat: Ministry of Justice: Contact Us
Phone: 0300 200 2020 – option 2
Email: BirminghamCAT@justice.gov.uk
Or LiverpoolCAT@justice.gov.uk
Or NottinghamCAT@justice.gov.uk
Accessing historic eForms
You can access historic eForms previously submitted and processed via the eForms service 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. The team aim to respond to all requests within 5 working days. Download copies of any eForms that you might require before the 25 October 2024.
Relevant dates
Friday 4 October:
Transition from CRM4, CRM5 and CRM7 to new services.
Friday 25 October:
Cut off for access to view historical eForms.
Further information
Updates to this page
Last updated 16 August 2024 + show all updates
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Further information and timing updated on the story.
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First published.