Civil processing dates

# Civil processing dates Check timescales for LAA to process your work (for example, civil applications and bills). ### Summary of processing timescales Information will be updated on a weekly basis and the current position will be the oldest date as of Friday the previous week. (Last updated 8 September 2026) Current targets: Civil applications Civil amendments Civil bills Very high cost case plans and correspondence (family cases exceeding £25,000 using single counsel*) 85% processed (end-to-end) in 20 working days (excluding the most complex cases) 75% processed (end to end) in 20 working days (excluding the most complex cases) 95% of complete and accurate bills within 20 working days 95% within 20 working days We continually aim to turnaround applications and bills as soon as possible and strive to deliver performance under our current set targets. ### Civil applications We are currently receiving high levels of intake following restoration of our civil systems. Please only contact the Customer Service Team if your work is outside of the date below or you have a hearing in the next 48 hours. The oldest date represents the current turnaround time for applications that require a full means and merits assessment. Applications without a means assessment, or those cases where the client receives a passported benefit, will take approximately 6 days less time to process. The oldest date does not take into account applications where the LAA is waiting for a response to a request for further information Work type Current Processing Date Applications (inc means assessments) 28 August 2026 Amendments 28 August 2026 Prior Authorities 7 September 2026 Discharge 7 September 2026 Means re-assessments 9 September 2026 Please note that Prior authorities should be submitted via a ‘Prior Authority Task’ not an ‘Amendment Task’ the dates above will depend on how the Prior Authority is submitted. Civil Applications and Exceptional & Complex Cases are distinct teams with separate workstreams. Each operates under different KPIs and oldest date metrics. Please find below the latest update regarding Exceptional & Complex Cases. ### ECCT applications The percentage of cases older than the current processing date includes ongoing matters, where further information has previously been requested by ECCT ECCT Work type Current Processing Date Backlog % Older Than Current Processing Date ECC emergency applications Removed: 3 End removed. Added: 8 End added. September 2026 0.0% ECC Substantive Applications Removed: 14 End removed. Added: 20 End added. August 2026 0.2% ECC Amendments Removed: 28 End removed. Added: 18 End added. August 2026 0. Removed: 4 End removed. Added: 1 End added. % ECC Appeals 28 July 2026 0. Removed: 4 End removed. Added: 1 End added. % ECC Case Plans Removed: 9 End removed. Added: 27 End added. July 2026 0. Removed: 2 End removed. Added: 04 End added. % ECF Work type Current Processing Date Backlog % Older Than Current Processing Date ECF New Applications Removed: 9 End removed. Added: 1 End added. April 2026 0. Removed: 4 End removed. Added: 0 End added. % ECF Amendments 25 June 2026 0. Removed: 1 End removed. Added: 015 End added. % ECF Reviews Removed: 3 End removed. Added: 27 End added. Removed: June End removed. Added: April End added. 2026 0. Removed: 2 End removed. Added: 0 End added. % ### Civil bills Please remember to submit your CCMS Outcome promptly to avoid payment delays as these timescales for CCMS claims reflect those claims that have already had their ‘outcomes’ reported and finalised. Civil news: submitting case ‘outcomes’ and prompt payments Work type Current Processing Date Court Assessed 7 September 2026 Fixed fee 7 September 2026 Hourly rate 4 September 2026 FAS and POA claims we are processing within 4 working days and in most cases 2 to 3 working days Please allow a further 5 – 9 days for payment to be received. For further performance information please see the Government Performance Platform . ### High Cost Family Work type Current Processing Date Single Case plan 3 September 2026 Two Case plan 18 August 2026 Correspondence 9 September 2026 (*) Please note case plans which fall into the following categories of law fall into the 2 Counsel workstream; Child Abduction, FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and FMPO (Forced Marriage Protection Order) For more information on the LAA’s current contingency measures please see here www.gov.uk/guidance/legal-aid-agency-cyber-security-incident