Submit a Bulk Claim enables providers to upload Legal Help, Crime Lower and Mediation monthly submissions.

Launch of Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC) – 4 February 2026

The Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC) service went live on 4 February.

This is a significant moment, as unlike other systems that we have restored following the cyber-attack, this is a brand new service, all be it with some similarities to how our CWA system previously functioned.

Providers will need to use SaBC to upload their monthly submissions, by 20th of each month (unless directed otherwise).

Try to make sure your submission is at the beginning of the month as this allows maximum time to offer support and resolve any questions.

We have already contacted the Software Vendors (SVs) for which we have details, to ensure they are engaging with providers; however, we would encourage providers to liaise with their own SV if they have any questions as to the readiness of their own system or any changes that have been made to it.

To ensure that you are best prepared to make use of SaBC, we would encourage providers to:

• Review the guidance materials available below
• Watch the recorded system walkthrough on the LAA Training website
• Seek support from us early if you require any assistance

It is particularly important that any provider experiencing difficulties contacts us as soon as possible so that we can offer support. Early engagement will help providers avoid delays and make future submissions through SaBC significantly simpler.

If you have any queries, please either contact your Contract Manager or email online-support@justice.gov.uk. Please do refer to the published guidance in the first instance as this will likely address your query.

How to access SaBC

All claims for controlled work, mediation and crime lower work must now be submitted via Submit a Bulk Claim (SaBC).

SaBC is a digital billing service that allows and validates monthly submissions online and calculates fees.

To access Submit a Bulk Claim, you will need to have a verified account with Sign in to legal aid services (SILAS) and Submit a Bulk Claim will need to have been added to your profile. Once this has been done, and you are logged into SILAS, you will be able to click on a link to access the Submit a Bulk Claim landing page. See the Legal Aid Agency training website for guidance on how to create an account with and use SILAS.

Those individuals who are providers’ SILAS Firm admins, will need to assign the ‘Submit a bulk claim’ app to the users that need it.  The SaBC app will not appear in SILAS until then. Firm Admins should refer to the published guidance at that point, to assign the app: https://legalaidlearning.justice.gov.uk/sign-in-to-legal-aid-services/#1-Setupandmanaginguseraccess

How SaBC works

Providers will be able to access the service via SILAS and can upload their bulkload or case management system exported data file directly into SaBC. The service will check the file and calculate the price of each claim within it. If any information is missing or if fundamental errors have been made within the submission, it will be rejected prior to calculating costs.

You can find further information on how to use SaBC in the Submit a Bulk Claim User Guide which can be found in the Guidance section below.

Changes for providers

Unlike in CWA, providers are unable to enter the details of each claim directly into SaBC – instead the submission must be uploaded via a bulkload spreadsheet export or via a file exported from their case management system (updated CSV, XML, and TXT exports).

Submit a Bulk Claim includes a new field – Fee Code; a Fee Code is required for each claim submitted and will determine how each is priced. See the Submit a Bulk Claim and new Fee Code field section below for details.

Unlike in CWA, once a file is uploaded and accepted, it is priced without any ability to review it first.

Given the pace that has been required to develop and build SaBC it has not been possible to initially replicate all of the functions of CWA and some such as the ability to review and amend a claim in the system, will be the subject of future potential development. We understand that in the meantime, there is a greater need for claims to be accurate before they are uploaded, or else they will requirement amendment after they have been uploaded.

SaBC will also require one file to be uploaded, per office and area of law (civil, crime & mediation) per month.

SaBC does contain additional validation to enforce initial cost limits in immigration matters – please refer to the Guidance for reporting Civil and Mediation matters, in the guidance document section below.

Using the bulkload spreadsheet and compatibility

If your case management system export isn’t compatible with SaBC or if you don’t have one, you can still bulkload your submission data using the bulk upload spreadsheet (links below).

We have updated the bulkload spreadsheet to improve its functionality for providers, this includes:

• For Windows users, adding in a drop-down menu for providers to select a Fee Code for each claim
• For Windows users, Updating the example references to reflect current Contracts and schedules
• Updating validation to reduce the likelihood of any rejects when claims are uploaded to SaBC
• Updating links and references to support guidance

We have also created a version of the spreadsheet designed specifically for those using MacBook operating systems. While this version does not have all the updated functionality of the Windows version (such as the Fee Code dropdown), it should assist providers who encountered compatibility issues when trying to use the Windows version.  The MacBook version will have further iterations in due course, to ensure it fully reflects the Windows version.

The supporting guide has also been updated, and there are now two – one for Windows and one for MacBooks, reflecting the slight differences in functionality between the two.

Providers should ensure that they use the latest version of the spreadsheets for any submissions.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU READ AND FOLLOW THE STEPS IN THE GUIDANCE OR YOU WILL LIKELY ENCOUNTER ERRORS.

Bulkload spreadsheet (3.22 MB)

Bulkload spreadsheet mac (XLSM, 3.26 MB)

The Bulkload spreadsheet guidance Windows (MS Word Document, 2.27 MB) and Bulkload spreadsheet guidance Mac (MS Word Document, 4.39 MB) provides guidance on how to use the spreadsheet(s) to draft your monthly submission, validate it and create an export file.

Claim amendments

Amendments to claims submitted on CWA 

Make changes to any of your previously submitted CWA claims using 1 of 3 amendment forms and guidance:

• Civil CWA Amendment form (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 101 KB)
• Crime CWA Amendment form (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 78.3 KB)
• Mediation CWA Amendment form (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 83.6 KB)
• Amendments guidance (MS Word Document, 58.9 KB)

Email amendment requests to: PA-ClaimAmend@justice.gov.uk

When completing the spreadsheet remember to:

• include the net revised cost, not gross
• check the compatibility of cost and code combinations within revised claims
• put your name and account number in the subject header

Whilst we are currently unable to process any amendments, a solution on how these will be amended is being developed so the forms can be submitted pending a confirmed approach.

Amendments to claims submitted on SaBC

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• Civil SaBC Amendment form (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 95.5 KB)
• Crime SaBC Amendment form (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 78.9 KB)
• Mediation SaBC Amendment form (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 84.1 KB)

Email amendment requests to: PA-ClaimAmend@justice.gov.uk

Submit a Bulk Claim and new Fee Code field

Each claim submitted through Submit a Bulk Claim, will need to include a new, single fee code.

This change has been required to enable us to deliver the new service at speed.

You will need to include the new fee codes in any SaBC submission for them to be accepted by the new service. The spreadsheet below sets out how the new Fee Codes map to an existing matter type or other reporting code (which may have previously triggered pricing rules in CWA). Where the matter type or other codes has N/A listed, you still need to enter a valid code in that field, but it no longer triggers the fee that you are paid; the Fee Code does that.

You should refer to the Guide for SaBC claims and Guidance for reporting Crime Lower for the detail of what should be reported in each field.

New fee codes with mapping (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 176 KB)

To support you to make this change, we have worked with software vendors who have been updating their systems to accommodate and enable the new fee codes. Most vendors have confirmed that they are going to auto-generate the codes in the claim exports.  If you have any concerns as to whether your case management system has been updated accordingly, please contact your software vendor.

We acknowledge that this is a considerable change and have worked as hard as possible to minimise the impact for providers, including working with a group of providers to design the service. However, due to the need to deliver a working service as early as possible, the initial release will only support the submission and pricing of claims.

To aid providers understand how the new fee code ‘maps’ across to an existing matter type or other reporting code (which may have previously triggered pricing rules in CWA), we have developed a series of recorded webinars and slide packs for providers to refer to.

Providers can access these webinars and slide packs via the Legal Aid Learning website:

 Civil - legalaidlearning.justice.gov.uk/submit-a-bulk-claim-civil/

Crime - legalaidlearning.justice.gov.uk/submit-a-bulk-claim-crime

Calculating value of an outcome

Upon successful uploading and acceptance of the submission, SaBC will price each line and will provide the total value of the submission.

Providers will also be able to view the calculated price of each line of the submission and can click on each individually to view how that sum has been determined.

In future, providers will be able to export the details of the claims and the calculated price, from SaBC.

The value for each claim will be calculated will be in accordance with the relevant provisions in the respective Civil/Crime Remuneration Regulations and Standard Civil/Crime Contracts, with further information available in the reporting codes guidance below.

Reporting New matter starts for controlled work and mediation

‘NEW MATTER STARTS’ is the LAA contracting term used for controlled work and mediation, e.g., the first meeting a provider has with a client.

How to report new matter starts depends on what method of submission you’re using.

Please note that New Matter Start reporting does not apply to Criminal cases.

LAA’s bulkload spreadsheet

Enter new matter starts into the controlled matter start form (CMSF) area of the spreadsheet.

CMS file

Contact your software supplier to find out if your CMS bulkload file contains your new matter starts. If it doesn’t and they require details as to the format required, please contact us.

If seeking to only report NMS via the bulkload spreadsheet, please refer to the user guidance above for details of how to do so.

Claims relating to the contingency period

SaBC must be used to upload your historic contingency submissions from April to December 2025. Providers were asked to upload these by 20 March 2026.

A review took place in April 2026, prior to a reconciliation of all accounts which took place with effect from 5 May. Providers were supplied with confirmation of any difference in value between contingency submissions and actual submissions by their Contract Manager.

Prepared submissions missing fee codes

Most software vendors have also confirmed that they can enable claim exports generated during the contingency period to be re-run with the new codes included, which supports the requirements for all contingency submissions to be made in Submit a Bulk Claim. However, we recognise that there may be additional work for you to update claim exports from the contingency.

To assist you with such updates, we have created a tool which providers can upload these exports into, and the tool will generate the applicable fee code based on the information in that export. This data can then be copied into a version of the bulkload spreadsheet and a new export created.

Not all providers will need to make use of this tool. To aid you in identifying whether it may be of assistance to you, we have created this short survey Check if you need to use the fee code assigning tool for contingency period claims If the survey concludes that you would benefit from use of the tool, we will contact you from the dedicated SubmitABulkClaimQueries@justice.gov.uk email, providing a copy of the tool and supporting guidance. The tool will only be sent to those providers who have used the survey and been shown to potentially benefit from it.

Exceptional Case Funding (ECF)

We are aware that previously CWA would generate an ECF payment reference which providers would then report in CWA in the ECF field. Providers will not need to retrospectively obtain a reference if one was not given for applications granted between April 2025 and February 2026. A copy of the letter confirming the grant of Exceptional Case Funding should continue to be retained on file. The ECF Team will commence allocating reference numbers for new applications, and these references should be reported on SaBC as they were in CWA.

Guidance Documents

The  SaBC User Guide (PDF, 1.56855 MBKB, 2030 pages) sets out instructions on how to use the new system, SaBC, to bulk upload a monthly submission for Civil (Legal Help), Crime Lower or Mediation for legal aid providers.

The Guidance for Reporting Legal Help and Mediation Work on SaBC_V7.0_ 29 April 2026 (PDF, 1.84 MB, 183 pages)  includes help on selecting the appropriate Fee Code and other codes (e.g. matter types) when reporting completed civil and mediation work.

The Procurement Area and Access Points (PDF, 4.01 MB, 119 pages) Code document contains all valid Category, Procurement Area and Access Point combinations and codes.

The Guidance for reporting crime lower (PDF, 2.33 MB, 135 pages) includes help on selecting the appropriate Fee Code and other codes (e.g. stage reached) for completed criminal work. The changes made are also summarised in the  Guidance to the changes in Crime Lower (PDF, 599 KB, 40 pages)

The SaBC Common Issues and FAQs (PDF, 359 KB, 23 pages) summarises those questions received from providers in relation to the new service and highlight guidance on common issues.

Contact

Please note that the submitabulkclaim@justice.gov.uk email inbox is now CLOSED. Emails received by this inbox will not be read and you should direct your queries to the appropriate team:

• Technical queries on SaBC should be directed to Online Support, who can raise tickets should further investigation be required by Digital: online-support@justice.gov.uk
• Any queries regarding resulting payments received following a submission,  should be directed to Reconciliation@justice.gov.uk.
• Queries concerning claim amendments (inc voids), and claim amendment requests, should be sent to PA-ClaimAmend@justice.gov.uk.
• Any other queries, such as concerning which codes may be applicable in a particular matter may be sent to your Contract Manager

We would encourage and expect providers to refer to the published guidance in the first instance as this will likely resolve your query – this is the same guidance available to internal colleagues.

We are keen to understand more about your monthly submissions, how you usually submit and the impacts of this change on your usual operations, you can help us by sharing your feedback using this link  - New ‘Submit a Bulk Claim’ service - Provider feedback form.

Government confirms increases to some Civil and Crime legal aid fees taking effect on 22 December.

Civil 

On 1 December, the statutory instrument uplifting all claimable rates for immigration and housing-controlled work was laid. This came into effect for matters opened on or after 22 December 2025. The uprated fees, linked to the single fee codes, can be found here New Fee Codes (MS Excel Spreadsheet, 176 KB).

Where applicable and only for uplifted fees, we have uplifted the immigration profit cost and total cost limits that are set out in the 2024 Standard Civil Contract Immigration Specification.

Crime 

Regulations were also laid on 1 December which will introduce the following fee increases for criminal legal aid cases beginning on or after 22 December 2025: 

• Harmonised police station fees to £320 with the police station escape fee threshold revised from £960 to £650 (excl. VAT).

• 10% uplifts to fees for the magistrates’ court (including the Youth Court)

• Prison law fees increased by 24%

• 10% uplift to solicitor fees for some appeals work

Frequently asked questions on the uplifted fees -  Fee Uplift FAQs (PDF, 250 KB, 4 pages)

The  Fee Uplift Guidance (PDF, 139 KB, 9 pages) is guidance on how to claim the higher Housing and Debt and Immigration and Asylum fees for matters opened on or after 22 December.