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Important Notice: Legal Aid Agency Cyber Attack – What You Need to Know

This blog post is to inform our clients and the wider community about a significant data breach affecting the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). This cyber attack has compromised personal data of individuals who applied for legal aid since 2010. 

What Happened?

On 23 April 2025, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) detected a cyber attack on the LAA’s digital services. Initially believed to be limited in scope, further investigation revealed that the breach was more extensive. Hackers accessed and downloaded a significant amount of personal data, including:

  • Full names and contact details
  • Dates of birth
  • National Insurance numbers
  • Criminal history
  • Employment status
  • Financial information, such as debts and payments

The group responsible claims to have obtained 2.1 million pieces of data, though this figure has not been verified by the MoJ. 

Who Is Affected?

Anyone who has applied for legal aid through the LAA’s digital services since 2010 may be affected. This includes individuals who have provided personal and financial information as part of their application.

What Should You Do?

If you believe you may be affected by this breach, we recommend the following steps:

  1. Be Vigilant: Monitor your accounts for any unusual activity. Be cautious of unsolicited communications requesting personal information.
  2. Change Passwords: Update passwords for any accounts that may use the same credentials as your legal aid application. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
  3. Check Your Credit Report: Regularly review your credit report for any unfamiliar accounts or activities. In the UK, you can check your credit report through agencies like Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.
  4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.police.uk) and inform your bank or financial institution.
  5. Stay Informed: Keep an eye on official communications from the MoJ and LAA for updates on the situation.

Our Commitment

We understand that this news may be distressing. At PCB Solicitors, we are committed to supporting our clients through this challenging time. If you have concerns about how this breach may affect you, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice and assistance.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Updates from the LAA can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/legal-aid-agency-data-breach

Further information on how to protect yourself from the impact of a data breach can be found on the NCSC website.