A number of our forms and declarations are still available in paper format.
You can use the Document Finder tool above to locate the correct form or declaration to be completed.
Alternatively you can view all available documents on the online declarations or forms webpages.
If don't see the form or declaration you're looking for then you should be able to complete the task on Legal Aid Online. Please contact the LAOL team by email or by calling 0131 240 2057 if you need further assistance using the online system.
FORMS - forms still in paper format are for those accounting processes that have not been replaced by Legal Aid Online. They also enable solicitors to record financial information about a client and submit certain requests for payment and reimbursement.
DECLARATIONS (and data capture forms) - in paper format to enable you to get your client's signature or details before submitting an application to us on Legal Aid Online.
Legal Aid Online Declarations
Online declarations should be used to obtain a client’s details and signature before making an application for them on Legal Aid Online. These are used in legal aid, A&A/ABWOR, appeal and transfer applications.
Data capture forms for criminal legal assistance applications are also available to help you gather all the necessary information about the case.
Please visit the online declarations page for more information and to access the forms.
Accounts and financial forms
Some accounting and financial processes remain paper based. The forms on our website can be used to submit financial information about your client, certain claims for reimbursement or payment and other accounting functions.
For every advice and assistance, criminal or civil legal aid application, transfer and criminal review (of a decision to refuse legal aid) application made online, your firm must obtain and retain the client’s signature, to be stored in your office. You can do this by either printing the completed online application or the client online declaration. You do not have to send us a copy, but as part of our audits and quality checks, we will randomly verify that applications or declarations have been signed.
If necessary, you may complete the application in the absence of your client. However, it will remain your responsibility to ensure that your client signs and dates it.
Once you have successfully completed an application online there is an option to print the application. This is the simplest and most efficient way to obtain the client’s signature if you are completing the application online while the client is in your office. At the bottom of the printout, there is a space for the client's signature.
Ensure that both the client and solicitor sign and date this and that you keep it in the client’s file.
If you are not completing the application online while the client is in your office, you should use the appropriate Legal Aid Online declaration to record key information and capture the applicant's and solicitor's signatures.All declarations must be:
Signed and dated by the client
Signed and dated by the solicitor
Completed in full, including details of the type of ABWOR granted, where applicable
The criminal review requires only the client’s signature.
In some cases we have also provided a data capture form to capture additional information. We have produced this following feedback and it is designed to help your business processes. It allows the solicitor to record the information required for the application. The solicitor can then use this to personally complete the application online, or give it to a member of staff to complete online, or dictate the details to a member of staff to complete the application online. The data capture form is not required to be signed or retained.
Legal Aid Online
Legal services providers please click here to log in to Legal Aid Online
