Legal Aid policy and process changes made in response to COVID-19 continue to apply, however some exceptions have been made.

During Alert Levels 3 and 4, the Legal Aid complaints and audit programmes were placed on hold. Both programmes have now been restarted under Level 2.

The Public Defence Service has begun undertaking new assignments from 18 May as court services increase to business as usual. Duty Lawyer work resumed undertaking new assignments from 25 May.

The consultation period for feedback on proposed changes to the Legal Aid provider contract will close on Friday 12th June.