Legal aid lawyers across England and Wales are facing “absolute chaos” after a major cyber attack paralysed critical IT systems, the Law Society has warned.
The attack, which targeted government-contracted systems used for managing legal aid cases, has left solicitors unable to access client files, submit claims, or communicate securely with the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). The disruption is now entering its second week, sparking mounting concerns about delays in criminal, immigration, and family law proceedings.
The Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG) has described the situation as “unprecedented”, warning that justice is being delayed for thousands of vulnerable individuals relying on publicly funded legal representation.
“This cyber attack has plunged the legal aid system into disarray,” said LAPG Director Carol Storer. “Lawyers are unable to file claims or access client data, and courts are facing serious disruption. It’s absolute chaos.”
The LAA confirmed it was hit by a ransomware-style cyber attack on its digital casework platform late last month. Although forensic teams from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are investigating, officials have yet to confirm the full extent of the data breach or when systems will be fully restored.
While there is currently no indication that client data has been leaked, the Law Society has urged the Government to urgently provide support to affected firms, many of which operate on tight margins and cannot withstand prolonged downtime.
“Legal aid providers are already under immense pressure,” said Law Society President Nick Emmerson. “This attack not only threatens the ability of firms to operate day-to-day, but more fundamentally, it risks undermining access to justice for society’s most vulnerable people.”
Some solicitors have reported being forced to revert to pen-and-paper methods, slowing down an already backlogged system. Others say their finances are under strain, as they are unable to submit payment claims for completed work.
One legal aid solicitor based in Manchester said: “I haven’t been paid for over a week, and we’re doing all we can to keep client services running. But if this goes on much longer, we’ll be in serious trouble.”
The Ministry of Justice has said it is “working around the clock” with cybersecurity experts and external contractors to restore services and ensure data security. It added that interim payment mechanisms for solicitors are being considered to mitigate the financial impact.
The incident comes amid long-standing concerns about the fragility of the legal aid system, which has faced years of funding cuts and declining participation from law firms. Recent data shows a significant fall in the number of firms taking on legal aid work, especially in areas such as housing and immigration.
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Legal and tech experts are calling for urgent investment in cyber-resilience across the justice sector, warning that ageing infrastructure and limited funding leave vital services exposed.
“This attack should be a wake-up call,” said cybersecurity consultant Dr Lisa Darnell. “Critical legal infrastructure, particularly in the public sector, needs robust protection. These services can’t afford to be vulnerable.”
As the legal community grapples with the fallout, pressure is mounting on the Government to not only restore access swiftly but also address long-term systemic vulnerabilities in the legal aid system.
For now, thousands of legal aid clients – many of them facing life-altering legal issues – remain in limbo. And for the overstretched solicitors trying to support them, there is no clear end in sight.
