The LSC have produced a checklist (PDF) for practitioners to use in submitting APP8s to amend certificates. Compliance with the checklist offers no guarantee that the LSC will deal with the APP8 any more quickly, but should mean it won't be rejected. The LSC is currently dealing with APP8s submitted a month ago - latest processing times can be found here, the published service standards here, and the complaints procedure for when the standards are not met here. Practitioners will note that the target is for 90% of APP8s to be dealt with within 10 working days, but the LSC say they are currently working to a timetable of 20 days and are only now dealing with forms submitted on 21st July. Meanwhile, all representations against grants of funding must now be sent to the Manchester office of the LSC. There is also advance warning of changes to crime reporting from October. The saga of old and unrecouped payments on account continues; the Bar Council has issued further guidance to counsel particularly in relation to cases dating from before 2006. The appeal in the Aisha Henthorn case, in which both the Law Society and Bar Council have been given permission to intervene, is expected in November. Finally, the Law Society has announced a series of roadshows, to be presented by its head of legal aid Richard Miller, updating solicitors on the progress of legal aid reform. We will of course keep you informed as well.