Legal aid
The Legal Aid Agency, the crime contracts, forms, and the public finder.
- Legal Aid Agency
The Legal Aid Agency administers the legal aid scheme in England and Wales under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. It is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice.
- Directory of legal aid providers
GOV.UK publication giving information about legal aid providers by category of law.
- Standard Crime Contract 2025
Contract documents for providers of criminal legal aid services, 2025. The page says the contract governs criminal legal aid and that the rates are in the legal aid legislation.
- Standard Crime Contract 2022
Contract documents for providers of criminal legal aid services, 2022, published on GOV.UK.
- Apply for legal aid
Legal aid application forms and guidance for civil and crime work. The page covers applying online or through CCMS, and high cost or exceptional cases.
- Find a legal aid adviser
GOV.UK service to search for a legal aid adviser or family mediator by postcode, legal problem, or organisation.
- Criminal legal aid review
The Ministry of Justice page on its review of criminal legal aid. The page says the review was announced in December 2018.
- Criminal Legal Aid Manual
The Legal Aid Agency's Criminal Legal Aid Manual (PDF), which covers criminal legal aid, including eligibility. The page lists updates, the latest dated 1 October 2026.
- Criminal legal aid application forms
Legal Aid Agency collection of criminal legal aid application forms. It includes CRM1 for client details, CRM2 for advice and assistance, CRM3 for advocacy assistance, and duty solicitor applications.
- Legal aid: crime claim forms
Legal Aid Agency forms, guidance and checklists for claiming payment on a criminal legal aid matter, such as CRM7 non-standard fee claims and CRM18 escape fee claims.
- Criminal legal aid: crime regulations, crime contracts, and guidance
Legal Aid Agency page of criminal legal aid statutory materials, the 2025 Standard Crime Contract, contract arrangements, guidance and claim codes. The statutory materials include the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 and their amendments.
- Work out who qualifies for criminal legal aid
Legal Aid Agency guidance for providers on who qualifies for criminal legal aid. It covers the interests of justice and means tests, the relevant legislation and making an application.