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Legal aid applicant data accessed by hackers

A cyber-attack on Britain’s Legal Aid Agency’s (LAA) online digital services has led to personal applicant data being downloaded.

The hackers got access to financial and other applicant data in the portal through which legal aid providers log their work and receive payment.

On Friday (16 May) the LAA discovered the attack was more extensive than originally understood and that personal data was downloaded from those who applied for legal aid through the digital service since 2010.

Criminal history

This data may have included contact details and addresses of applicants, their dates of birth, national ID numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments.

“It is extremely concerning that members of the public have had their personal data compromised in this cyber security incident and the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) must get a grip on the situation immediately,” said Law Society of England and Wales president Richard Atkinson this morning.

“The incident once again demonstrates the need for sustained investment to bring the LAA’s antiquated IT system up to date and ensure the public have continued trust in the justice system.”

Vital reforms

He added that the fragility of the IT system has prevented vital reforms, including updates to the means test, and interim payments for firms whose cashflow is slowed by court backlogs.

If the IT system is now also proving vulnerable to cyber-attack, further delay is untenable, Atkinson said.

“Legal aid firms are small businesses providing an important public service and are operating on the margins of financial viability. Given that vulnerability, these financial security concerns are the last thing they need.”