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<p>We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a range of challenges for the
legal profession. We have been working closely with legal aid providers across the
justice system throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so, monitoring any
impact and understanding their concerns.</p><p>In April the Legal Aid Agency published
operational guidance, including guidance on working remotely and working with clients
during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>A range of measures have been introduced to support
providers during the pandemic while maintaining access to justice for the most vulnerable
in society. These include:</p><ul><li>Reducing the levels of contract administration
to allow providers to focus on supporting their clients;</li><li>Expanding how domestic
abuse requirements may be evidenced to make it easier for victims to access legal
aid during this difficult period;</li><li>Expanding the scope and relaxing the evidence
requirements for hardship payments in crown court cases – including reducing the threshold
for work done to £450, rather than the previous £5,000;</li><li>Halting the pursuit
of outstanding debts owed to the Legal Aid Agency;</li><li>Suspending sanctions in
relation to missed deadlines for delegated function applications, substantive amendments
and appeals against LAA decisions;</li><li>Publicising existing avenues of financial
help for legal firms, such as the ability to apply for early payment for work already
done on a case, and changing rules for payment on account for providers, benefitting
cashflow in the short-term and ensuring that providers can claim the same amount of
money for online hearings as they can for face-to-face hearings.</li></ul><p>HMT have
introduced and recently extended a range of measures to support individuals and businesses
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the furlough scheme, Self-Employed Income
Support Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan and Bounce Back Loan, to provide
some financial stability. We encourage the professions to continue to take advantage
of this support where appropriate.</p><p>We will continue to closely monitor the situation,
working with providers to keep these measures under review.</p>
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