Training and guidance materials

Providers have now been trained in the early adopter areas and sessions are now available for solicitors during the national roll-out.

The courses are being run in partnership with the Central Law Training (CLT) Group and they're essential for those representing clients in the police station and at all courts.

This course is funded by the LSC and 4 CPD points will be available. Book your place through CLT Group

Training materials and guidance are available to download in the documents section on the right and there is some useful information below.

The materials include:

Solicitors' guide to criminal legal aid
English and Welsh pocket guides for clients
List of the early adopter courts
Questions and answers
Suggested wording for Client Care letter
Information on contribution notices and orders
The training presentation

Please note the Solicitors' guide summarises key information and is designed to complement rather than replace the Criminal legal aid manual.

Ordering supplies

If you wish to order any of these items, free of charge please complete the order form in the documents section on the right. Please note only a limited amount can be ordered during the national roll out of CCMT. Send completed forms to the CDS forms supplier, Dsicmm:

Telephone: 0845 3000 343
Fax: 0845 5438 258
Email: cdsforms@legalservices.gov.uk

Please use these codes when ordering:

Solicitor guide: CDS/LACC
Pocket guide for defendant - English Version: CDS/YDC
Pocket guide for defendant - Welsh Version: CDS/YDC/BIL
If you have any further questions on the forms, marketing material or guidance please email the CCMT project team.

Criminal legal aid manual

The Criminal legal aid manual provides information for solicitors and court staff on how to apply for legal aid in criminal cases in the magistrates’ and Crown Courts.

It came into effect from 11 January 2010 in the magistrates’ courts that form the early adopter areas. Download copies from the criminal legal aid eligibility pages.

Version 6 EA application forms

Defendants appearing at the early adopter courts must apply for legal aid using Version 6 (EA) forms. Defendants appearing at any other court may use either this or the version 5 forms. The forms can be downloaded from our forms pages.

A full list of the early adopter magistrates' courts, non participating courts and all supporting material for solicitors is available in the documents section on the right.

Draft client care letter

We have published optional wording for solicitors to consider using in letters to clients affected by Crown Court means testing. The document is in the section on the right.

For more information

Visit the Crown Court means testing consultation pages for:

the response document
impact assessment
and a Q&A

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Last updated: 04 August 2010