Rules will require notice to SLAB of s 19 applications for expenses
The Scottish Legal Aid Board will have to be given advance notice of applications for expenses out of the Legal Aid Fund, under new rules coming into force next month.
Under the Act of Sederunt (Civil Legal Aid Rules Amendment) 2017 (SSI 2017/332), in force from 13 November 2017, where an application is to be made under s 19(1) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 the applicant must give the Board advance notice of their intention, by completing a prescribed form and sending it to the Board, along with supporting documents, no less than 28 days before any motion applying for an award is enrolled or lodged.
The rules have been developed by the Costs & Funding Committee of the Scottish Civil Justice Council to provide a more efficient streamlined procedure and to minimise the need for applications to be opposed and continued because insufficient information has been provided.