Legal Aid Agency (LAA) requirement for Cyber Essentials
What This Means
- Mandatory Compliance: Cyber Essentials has become a condition of funding for Criminal Legal Aid work.
- Scope: Applies to all firms, regardless of size, that handle Criminal Legal Aid cases.
- Certification Deadline: Must be in place before 1st October 2025 to avoid disruption to contracts.
- Reference Documentation: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67a4901fbaccec3af36b3c18/Criminal_Legal_Aid_Services_from_1_October_2025_Frequently_Asked_Questions_V.2.pdf
Why It Matters
- Cyber Essentials is a UK government-backed scheme that ensures firms meet baseline cybersecurity standards.
- It protects against common threats like phishing, malware, and unauthorised access.
- Certification demonstrates a commitment to data protection, client trust, and regulatory compliance.
Key Areas Covered by Cyber Essentials
- Firewalls and internet gateways
- Secure configuration
- Access control
- Malware protection
- Patch management.
Key Points to consider
- This applies to all law firms in England and Wales delivering Criminal Legal Aid services.
- The mandate comes from the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).
- Cyber Essentials certification has become a condition of funding — without it, firms will potentially lose their contract eligibility.
