SLAB consults on "unusual work" civil approvals

The Scottish Legal Aid Board has launched a consultation about how to identify "unusual" work when considering requests to approve such work for civil legal aid.

SLAB is considering how it might change its current approach in this area, in particular how to:

• develop and implement a definition of the term "unusual"; and
• revise the list of work it currently considers to be unusual as part of its published guidance.

The Board is seeking to ensure that its approach is as up to date and as proportionate as possible, avoiding unnecessary work for both solicitors and SLAB, while continuing to meet its obligation to ensure that all funded cases meet the statutory tests.

It invites views from solicitors and others on any forms of work which should no longer be considered unusual, the potential benefits and risks of the proposed policy change, and how it can ensure its approach to unusual work approvals remains up to date going forward.

Access the consultation here. The closing date for responses is 5pm on Friday 9 September 2022.