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Data Breach Involving the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Aid Agency

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The Legal Aid Agency (LAA), an executive agency operating under the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), is responsible for administering legal aid in England and Wales. In the course of representing clients under the legal aid scheme, it is routine for us—as your legal representatives—to submit information and documentation to the LAA via their designated online portal.

Security Incident

On 30 April 2025, the LAA publicly disclosed a cyber attack targeting this portal. Subsequent communication on 16 May 2025 confirmed that the attackers had gained access to what was described as “a large amount of information relating to legal aid applicants.” As of now, the LAA has not clarified the specific nature or extent of the compromised data.

The Legal Aid Agency and the Ministry of Justice have acknowledged that they are the data controllers legally accountable for the incident under relevant data protection laws.

What Information May Be at Risk?

Due to the limited detail released, we cannot determine precisely what categories of data have been exposed. However, based on the nature of information typically submitted to the LAA, the breach could potentially involve:

  • Personal identifiers such as your name, address, date of birth, and contact details;

  • Financial records including income, benefits, and other information provided to establish eligibility for legal aid;

  • Case-related details, potentially including sensitive or confidential matter-specific data;

  • Correspondence between our firm and the LAA, including emails, letters, and other communications.

Recommended Actions

While we await further detail from the Ministry of Justice and LAA, we recommend that you take the following prudent steps to protect yourself:

  • Monitor Official Updates: Stay informed by checking GOV.UK and reviewing any direct communication from the LAA or MoJ.

  • Exercise Caution: Be alert to unexpected emails, calls, or messages requesting personal information. If in doubt, do not respond or click on any links—verify the source through official contact points.

  • Beware of Scams: Fraudsters may exploit this incident. Watch for phishing attempts, especially those claiming to be urgent or from a legal authority.

  • Review Financial Activity: Check your bank and credit card accounts regularly for unauthorised transactions. You are entitled to a free credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

  • Report Suspicious Activity: If you receive any communication that appears fraudulent or suspicious—particularly anything referencing the breach—report it immediately to Action Fraud (online or by calling 0300 123 2040).

Further Information

If you have concerns about how your data may have been affected, you may contact the Legal Aid Agency directly:

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