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| We have identified some of the most 'frequently asked questions'
experienced by each of our business areas. This list is not exhaustive but it is hoped its content will provide you with useful guidance. |
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NILSC Form Registration and Processing |
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Raised at recent Triage Seminars |
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| There are 8 FAQs in this category |
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Is there a period of time within which a form is returned? |
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A: A form will be returned as soon as possible. Practitioners are reminded that the reason for a form being returned is that the application was not correctly completed and practitioners are advised to refer to the Guidance on the Commission’s website and have this to hand when completing the forms. |
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Some solicitors have experienced a form being returned with a query, they answer the query, and the form is returned again with a different query. |
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A: This should not happen – a form should be checked from top to bottom. If this occurs please contact the Triage Enquiry Line on 02890408954
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Given that 5 of the top 10 reasons for return concern lack of documentation could NILSC consider the inclusion of a check list on its application forms? |
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A: Inclusion of documentation has been an on-going problem. Previously the A1 application form contained a check list but this was replaced by the supplementary forms as the inclusion of the checklist did not address the problem. The supplementary forms were designed to assist solicitors by specifying the information required by the Commission to apply the merits test and requesting details of the proofs required for that purpose.
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Given that 5 of the top 10 reasons for return concern lack of documentation could NILSC consider the inclusion of a check list on its application forms? |
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A: Inclusion of documentation has been an on-going problem. Previously the A1 application form contained a check list but this was replaced by the supplementary forms as the inclusion of the checklist did not address the problem. The supplementary forms were designed to assist solicitors by specifying the information required by the Commission to apply the merits test and requesting details of the proofs required for that purpose.
The Commission will consider this suggestion further when the forms are revised. However it is a matter for the instructing solicitor to check that the relevant documentation is included in the application.
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Are the top ten reasons for return in any particular order? |
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Do Triage have a check list that they use? |
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A: No, the Triage team use the same Guidance notes as those issued to the profession which are available in the Members’ area of the Commission’s website. It is recommended that all persons completing legal aid applications download a copy from the Commission’s website and keep this to hand when completing applications.
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Will the supplementary forms ever be merged with the A1 and A2? |
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A: Yes, it is the Commission’s intention to move to an e-business environment and application forms will be revised as part of an e-Forms project.
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When applications are returned in error, are these taken out of the statistics? |
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A: No, at present it is not possible to identify cases which have been returned in error and accordingly these are included in the statistics. The Commission accepts that errors occur and is looking at the internal quality measures to identify and minimise the number of applications returned in error.
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