What happens where a firm not wishing to register has existing cases?
Although solicitors within non-registered firms are not able to grant civil advice an assistance or apply for civil legal aid after 1 October, the transitional arrangements allow for them to continue to a conclusion any existing civil legal aid or civil advice and assistance cases. Firms are also, of course, entitled to be remunerated as appropriate for such cases. Should a non-registered firm have submitted prior to 1 October applications for civil legal aid which have not by that date been determined, the applications will be determined and, if they met the statutory tests, granted. In these circumstances, the firm would be able to see the cases to a conclusion. However, a solicitor within a non-registered firm currently using advice and assistance on behalf of a client to prepare an application for civil legal aid, would not be able to submit the application on or after 1 October. Any applications by non-registered firms granted after 1 October would be paid at the new rates unless
