The Civil Legal Aid (General) Regulations 1989

Duty to report abuse of legal aid

67.—(1) Where an assisted person’s solicitor or counsel has reason to believe that the assisted person has–

(a)required his case to be conducted unreasonably so as to incur an unjustifiable expense to the fund or has required unreasonably that the case be continued; or

(b)intentionally failed to comply with any provision of regulations made under the Act concerning the information to be furnished by him or in furnishing such information has knowingly made a false statement or false representation,the solicitor or counsel shall forthwith report the fact to the Area Director.

(2) Where the solicitor or counsel is uncertain whether it would be reasonable for him to continue acting for the assisted person, he shall report the circumstances to the Area Director.