The Legal Aid Agency has confirmed that the Average Payment Scheme will end in January 2026, with recoupments starting shortly afterwards. Legal aid providers should now prioritise preparing and submitting legal aid costs claims via CCMS to minimise the financial impact of recoupment and avoid cashflow disruption. Early preparation will be critical as contingency arrangements are brought to a close.

From December 2025, civil legal aid fees will increase significantly, with major uplifts for housing and immigration controlled work and higher hourly and fixed fees. We explain what the new Regulations mean for providers and the practical cost implications.