News
Client Notice: Legal Aid Agency Data Breach - May 2025 (22 May 2025)
Date: 22/05/2025
We have recently become aware of a serious data breach affecting the Legal Aid Agency (LAA), which may impact individuals who have applied for legal aid since 2010.
We wish to make clear that this incident does not involve a data breach at Duncan Lewis Solicitors. However, as one of the largest providers of legal aid legal services in the UK, a significant number of our clients may be affected.
The breach arose following a cyber-attack on the LAA’s digital systems, which hold data relating to legal aid applications submitted through the Government’s online portal. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that this data may include personal information such as:
- Names and contact details
- Dates of birth and national identification numbers
- Employment and financial details
- Criminal history
- Contributions, debts, and other information linked to legal aid applications
We understand that this news may be distressing. Please be assured that we are closely monitoring developments and remain in contact with the LAA and other relevant authorities.
As updates are provided by the Legal Aid Agency on the Government’s website, we will publish key updates here to keep you informed.
What should you do?
If you applied for legal aid at any time since 2010, we recommend taking the following precautionary steps:
- Remain alert to suspicious phone calls, emails or messages
- Avoid sharing personal or financial information unless you are certain of who you are dealing with
- Consider updating passwords used on government or legal service websites
- Monitor financial and credit accounts for any unusual activity
For official advice on how to protect yourself from the impact of a data breach, please visit the National Cyber Security Centre website.
Contact Us
If you have any queries or wish to speak to someone further about appropriate next steps, please liaise with your Solicitor or contact us here.
Duncan Lewis Solicitors remains committed to supporting and protecting our clients, and we will continue to update this page as more information becomes available.