IDG65450 - Procedure for disclosing to others (government): Legal Services Commission
Who are the Legal Services Commission
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is the body responsible for the administration of legal aid in England and Wales. They make sure people get the legal help they need to deal with a range of problems. Legal Aid help to ensure access to justice by ensuring legal representation is available to people who may otherwise not be able to afford it.
Why share information with the Legal Services Commission
The LSC runs the legal aid scheme which is overseen by the Ministry of Justice with a budget set by the Treasury. In order to ensure that legal aid is granted to appropriate applicants, the LSC need to verify the information they receive when someone makes a claim for legal aid.
Ensuring information is shared lawfully
All disclosures of HMRC information must be lawful. Please see IDG40500 for more information on lawful disclosure as provided by the CRCA.
To be lawful, HMRC may only share information with the Legal Services Commission through a legal gateway. See IDG44000 for general information about what a legal gateway is. The appropriate legal gateway to use is listed below.
You must also ensure when passing information to the Legal Services Commission that you follow the agreed procedure for disclosures. Details are listed below.
Procedure for disclosure
Only authorised DMB staff may disclose information. The LSC will provide details of the legal aid cases that they wish to verify to DMB who will then respond providing the relevant information in accordance with the agreed legal gateway.
Legislation which allows disclosure
Paragraph 6 Schedule 3 Access to Justice Act 1999
The Criminal Defence Service (Information Requests) Regulations 2009
Devolved Administrations
This legislation applies to England and Wales only.
Further guidance
For further guidance or assistance generally on confidentiality, contact Information Strategy (see IDG90100).
