GovWire

The 2025 standard crime contract governs the provision of criminal legal aid services and consists of 16 documents:

• Standard terms

• Specification (sections 1 - 13)

• Sample schedule

• Sample contract for signature

These documents will be effective from Tuesday, 1 October 2025. On contract launch, all the chapters in the specification will be consolidated into one document.

Standard terms

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

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.

Sample schedule

This sets out provisions specific to individual providers. This is a sample schedule for illustration only as schedules vary between providers.

Sample contract for signature

The contract for signature gives effect to the 2025 standard crime contract as a whole. This is a sample contract for signature for illustration only as they vary between providers.

Further documents

• criminal bills assessment manual

• criminal legal aid regulations

• data security requirements and guidance

• equality and diversity guidance

• indemnities and guarantee forms

• independent peer review guidance

• LAA payment guidance

• Lord Chancellors guidance - under section 4 of LASPO

• Specialist Quality Mark standard and guidance