LAA Update (updated 6/2/26)
LAA update courtesy of Scott Baldwin at St John’s Buildings
New Barristers (changing chambers)
Because the new systems are super secure, the process of creating a new barrister or moving a barrister from one chambers to another is not straightforward. There are a lot of checks to go through and then the data has to be sliced in one lump and transferred over to CCMS. This process is taking place in a 4-week cycle hence the delays for new barristers.
There is however a workaround, which is actually better as both the old chambers and new chambers can access CCMS on behalf of that barrister to submit bills. The slight issue is that the barrister has to create a SILAS account (using MS Authenticator) and setup access, though you could sit them down and walk them through it. Contact LAAuserregistration@justice.gov.uk for assistance on setting this up.
Recoupment Statements
The email addresses which recoupment statements are sent to are potentially out of date. Barristers provide them when they first sign up for an LAA account. In some cases they relate to previous chambers, clerks@ addresses, or individual clerks (who have long since left). If you aren’t getting the statements for a specific barrister contact the CivilClaimBC@justice.gov.uk and ask them to confirm which address a specific barristers statements are going to, quoting the barrister’s account number. If you need to change the contact email address you will need to contact providerrecords-london@justice.gov.uk to change the email address, but they will need a signed letter from the barrister.
It is important that you do this because the LAA are trying to use the same method to send remittance advices which have a negative balance. If your barrister’s email address isn’t set up correctly then the remittances won’t get to you. This isn’t confirmed yet they are playing with the tech side and will update us soon.
Finally, just a reminder that to ensure you get to see recoupment statements (and hopefully remittances with a negative balance) you can ask your IT people to create a rule in Exchange which will add your preferred email address to the email as it arrives so that your clerks get it as well as your barristers. The email address the LAA send them from is NoReplyLAAReporting@justice.gov.uk as your IT people will need this.
Scott and I are having regular meetings with the LAA regarding issues arising with the recoupment process to see if there are workarounds they can provide for those barristers that may be struggling with the repayment schedules. They are engaging with us on this issue and also with trying to find a clear way to notify us of all contingency recoupments so that we can reconcile our accounts. I will report back when I have more news
Many thanks
Sarah Reynolds
Doughty Street Chambers
Dear Clerks,
The recoupment process will begin on 2nd February for the contingency payments made during the cyber attack. Your barristers should have now received a statement setting out the amount to be repaid and the schedule of repayments. The password for the statements is the barrister’s LAA supplier number. If your barristers haven’t received their statements, or if there any queries arising from them, please email civilclaimbc@justice.gov.uk and they will help you.
The recoupments will show on the weekly remittances whether payments are being made alongside them or not.
If you have queries about the process or wish to discuss pausing repayments whilst payments from claims catch up then please contact civilclaimbc@justice.gov.uk to discuss the options available.
I am still having weekly meetings with the LAA so if there are issues arising for you that you can’t get answer for then please let me know and I will do my best to assist
Best wishes
Sarah Reynolds
Doughty Street Chambers