Certificate in
Legal Aid

A four week micro-credential in the Civil and Criminal Legal Aid system in England and Wales aimed at supporting Continuous Professional Development. You will examine the funding framework, service levels, billing, and assessment procedures, with a strong emphasis on practical application in legal costs.

With a flexible online learning format, the course allows professionals to balance study with work while gaining industry-recognised accreditation.

TBC

Core topics include:

• Overview of the Legal Aid system in England & Wales
• Civil, criminal and family legal aid contracts
• Funding arrangements, eligibility, and financial limits
• Costs assessment, enhancement, and disbursements
• High-cost case planning and remuneration procedures
• The Client and Costs Management System (CCMS)
• Advocacy assistance and casework across family, civil and criminal matters

The course is delivered entirely via online learning.

ACLT uses an online learning platform, Canvas, to enable easy access to learning materials, tutor interaction and administrative support.

The materials have been devised to ensure you are able to study on your own, either at home or wherever suits you – reading, watching or listening to the material supplied, undertaking activities and assessments with regular support from your tutor.

You will also get the opportunity to interact with other students through the online learning environment, videoconferencing and discussion forums.

Assessment is by assignment, requiring students to demonstrate applied knowledge of Legal Aid rules and prepare practice-based documentation reflecting professional standards.

Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between the Legal Aid Agency and the providers of legal aid services and the availability of legal aid within the practice areas of family, crime and civil including the types of cases covered, the scope of legal aid granted, financial limits, what can be claimed and when, bills of costs for assessment by the court and Legal Aid Agency, claims for payment using the Client and Costs Management System (CCMS) online and paper-based forms, CCMS operations, managing costs for Special Case Work (High Costs Case Plans), remuneration (including fixed fee schemes) and remuneration procedures.

Apply knowledge and understanding to advise on the scope of legal aid, how to claim and how costs will be assessed in the relevant forum.

Advise on costs assessment and inter-partes costs recovery in a legally aided matter including preparation of a Bill of Costs and advising on the detailed assessment procedure.

TBC

• Certificate in Legal Aid: £645 (excl. VAT)
• Record of Attendance – Legal Aid: £495 (excl. VAT)

The Record of Attendance fee does not include submission of the final assessment. Completion of the Certificate in Legal Aid may be credited towards the Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification.