What is a Claim1A Form?

A Legal Aid Agency (LAA) Civ Claim1A form is used by solicitors in England and Wales to claim payment from the Legal Aid Agency for civil legal aid work they have carried out under a legal help scheme or other civil legal aid funding certificate.

Key Details about the Claim1A Form

The main purpose of the Claim1A form is to claim payment for civil legal aid services, including fixed fees and hourly rates for work done under legal help, help at court, family help (lower), and some certificated work.

It is mainly used by solicitors and legal aid providers who are authorised by the LAA to carry out civil legal aid work.

It includes details such as:

• Client information
• Type of matter/case
• Time spent (broken down by fee earner)
• Disbursements (e.g., court fees, expert reports)
• Costs claimed
• Outcome of the case

This form can be submitted electronically via the Client and Cost Management System (CCMS) or on paper (though electronic submission is preferred and now more common).

When would a solicitor use a Claim1A?

If a solicitor has completed a matter under Legal Help, Help at Court, or a similar scheme, they will use this form to request payment for the legal services provided to the client. For example, if a solicitor gave initial advice on a family law or housing matter, they would complete and submit a Claim 1A to be reimbursed for that work.

How can ARC Costs assist?

Our team of highly skilled Law Costs Draftsmen, Costs Lawyers regularly assist in all types of costs claims, including publicly funded and inter-partes costs claims, with our client base ranging from law firms to Litigants in Person.

Using our expert costing service, we help clients maximise their recovered legal costs whilst providing expert legal advice and minimising the risk of rejected claims from the Legal Aid Agency, to ensure you maintain your KPIs.

We regularly use the CCMS system to submit legal aid costs claims, including Claim1A forms and deal with all the administration on behalf of our clients and to free up the time of fee earners, thereby ensuring you can recover your maximum legal aid fees in an expeditious and efficient manner. 

It is also worth noting that in exceptional costs cases (in which a fixed fee does not apply), the cost of utilising our Costs Draftsmen preparing your Bill can be recovered from the LAA.

To find out more about how we can provide you with assistance, please get in touch with us at 01204 397302 or email our team of experts at info@arccosts.co.uk. Alternatively, please use our free chat facility to speak to an expert directly.

Follow Us