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The 2022 standard crime contract runs from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2025 (see above document - Headline Intentions on Extending the 2022 standard crime contract - May 2023). It governs the provision of criminal legal aid services and consists of 4 documents:

• standard terms
• specification
• schedule
• contract for signature.

Standard terms

The standard terms govern the commercial relationship between the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) and legal aid providers.

The standard terms for the 2022 standard crime contract are effective from 1 October 2022.

Specification

The specification sets out the rules for carrying out publicly funded criminal defence work in England and Wales.The rates for this work can be found in legal aid legislation.

The specification for the 2022 standard crime contract has been amended as follows:

Version 3 the specification was amended effective from 3 August 2023 in relation to supervisor requirements and office hours, and for the removal of the financial eligibility test for children on advice and assistance and advocacy assistance cases started on or after 3 August 2023.

Version 2 the specification was amended effective from 1 July 2023 in relation to the billing of police station claims in pre-charge bail cases.

Version 1 the original version of the specification effective from 1 October 2022.

Full details of the amendments made to the specification are listed in the above document named tables of amendments to 2022 standard crime contract.

Sample schedule

This sets out provisions specific to individual providers. Use the sample schedule for illustration as schedules vary between providers.

Sample contract for signature

The contract for signature gives effect to the 2022 standard crime contract as a whole. Use the sample contract for signature for illustration as they vary between providers.

Associated contract documents

Category definitions

This sets out the legal definitions of each category of law covered by the 2022 standard crime contract.

Supervisor declaration forms and guidance

These documents set out the requirements that supervisors must satisfy.

Duty solicitor guidance

This sets out how the LAA interprets the duty solicitor requirements, including the calendar monthly 50 hours requirement.

Welcome pack

This provides an overview of the 2022 standard crime contract.

Police station representatives register

This is a list of police station representatives authorised to attend a police station under police station advice and assistance.

Police station register arrangements

These arrangements set out the rules for the police station representatives register.

Further documents

• Specialist Quality Mark standard and guidance
• indemnities and guarantee forms
• data security requirements and guidance
• equality and diversity guidance
• criminal bills assessment manual
• LAA payment guidance
• independent peer review guidance
• Lord Chancellors guidance - under section 4 of LASPO
• criminal legal aid regulations
• crime contract 2022 tender