Law Society Calls for Solicitors to Gain Greater Legal Aid Powers After Cyber Attack

A major cyber attack on the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) in April 2025 has left the justice system in turmoil, with the personal data of millions of legal aid applicants potentially compromised. The breach forced the LAA to take its digital services offline, halting new applications and payments for legal aid providers across England and Wales. Sensitive information—including names, addresses, dates of birth, National Insurance numbers, criminal histories, and financial records—may have been accessed, affecting anyone who applied for legal aid since 2010.

Ongoing Impact on Legal Aid Providers and Clients

Two months after the attack, many civil legal aid providers remain unable to process new grants or receive timely payments. Vulnerable clients—such as those facing homelessness, family breakdown, or domestic abuse—are left without access to vital legal advice and representation. The disruption has placed significant financial strain on law firms, with some at risk of closure due to delayed payments and an inability to take on new cases.

Law Society’s 10-Point Action Plan

In response, the Law Society has called on the LAA to urgently devolve more decision-making powers to solicitors, enabling them to keep the justice system moving and support those in need. The Society’s 10-point plan includes proposals for solicitors to:

• Approve legal aid in criminal cases at magistrates’ courts.

• Handle extensions and amendments to civil legal aid grants.

• Issue initial grants in urgent cases not requiring means or merits tests (such as care proceedings).

• Make decisions on judicial reviews.

• Receive compensation for financial losses caused by the LAA’s digital portal shutdown.

• Gain greater transparency about what data was accessed during the cyber incident.

• Access clearer support for vulnerable groups, including domestic abuse victims.

Law Society president Richard Atkinson emphasised the urgency:

“It is time to get our justice system back online and ensure legal aid—a crucial public service—is available to all who may need it.”
He warned that the ongoing disruption risks the closure of legal aid firms and leaves those most in need without support.

The Case for Greater Solicitor Autonomy

The Law Society argues that devolving powers to solicitors would allow urgent cases to proceed, reduce the backlog, and ensure that vulnerable clients are not left without representation. The plan also seeks to address the financial hardship faced by legal aid providers, many of whom are struggling to stay afloat as payments are delayed and new applications remain on hold.

LAA’s Response and Sector Concerns

The LAA has issued updates on VAT and tax support, but many practitioners report that these measures are insufficient to address the scale of the crisis. There are calls for the LAA to provide more detailed information about the breach, including which data was accessed and how affected individuals will be supported.

Wider Implications for Access to Justice

The cyber attack has exposed the fragility of the legal aid system’s digital infrastructure and the risks posed by outdated technology. The incident has reignited debate about the need for investment in secure, modern systems and the importance of ensuring that legal aid remains accessible to all, especially the most vulnerable in society.

Conclusion

The Law Society’s call for greater solicitor powers is a direct response to an unprecedented crisis in the legal aid sector. As the justice system struggles to recover from the cyber attack, urgent action is needed to restore access to legal aid, support providers, and protect the rights of those who depend on this essential public service.

For further guidance on navigating the current legal aid challenges or safeguarding your practice, contact our team for expert support.