The Legal Aid Board (LAB) has introduced new procedures on the issue and handling of emergency certificates.

The changes are effective from 1 April 1997 and will also apply to franchises.

The complete text of the new guidance will appear in a revision of the publication Guidance: Exercise of devolved powers which will be issued shortly by the LAB, and the new edition of the Legal Aid Handbook, due to be published this summer.

A summary of the changes is available with the March edition of the LAB's Focus newsletter which can be obtained for the LAB's press and publications section.

Contact the office at Legal Aid Head Office, 85 Gray's Inn Road, Lindon WC1X 8AA (DX 328); telephone, 0171 813 1000 ext 8676.

Practitioners are advised to read the summary in Focus.

The main changes are as follows;-- The introduction of procedures for telephone, fax and postal applications as well as new forms for applications submitted by fax.-- Telephone applications will only be accepted in the most urgent of circumstances -- applications will generally be made in writing by post or fax.-- The area office will require to have all of the information which should normally be included on a faxed application, when making a telephone application.-- Fully completed postal applications must be submitted to the area office within five working days of the grant of a telephone or faxed application.

Extensions must be applied for before the expiry date.

-- Emergency cases will be fast tracked by the assessment office.

-- In emergency situations, there will be flexibility about the documentation to be provided where the application form must be signed or returned.

-- Any emergency certificate will be limited as to scope, duration and costs.

Practitioners must therefore request appropriate extensions and make the client aware of the importance of co-operating fully with the assessment office to avoid any gaps in emergency certificate and the grant of a full certificate.

-- Franchisees will not be notified where a time limit on an emergency certificate has expired and will need to diarise or programme this themselves.The Law Society would be interested to hear from practitioners who are experiencing problems with the operation of the new procedures, particularly with regard to the adequate provision of fax machines in legal aid area offices and cost limitations.

Send comments to Yvonne Treacy, policy executive, The Law Society, 114 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1SX; telephone 0171 320 5722.