Legal Aid Agency invites providers with live contracts to share evidence on sector capacity, demand and operational pressures across England and Wales
The Legal Aid Agency is set to launch a new survey of providers later this month, aimed at improving understanding of capacity and demand across the legal aid sector.
The 2026 Legal Aid Provider Survey will open on 27 April and run until 1 June, with all organisations holding a live legal aid contract invited to take part.
The agency said the initiative is designed to gather more detailed information about how the legal aid market is functioning in practice, including the pressures faced by providers and the extent to which current capacity is meeting demand.
Insights from the survey will be used by the Legal Aid Agency and the Ministry of Justice to build a clearer evidence base about the sector. This is expected to support future policy development and help identify where improvements may be needed in the way legal aid services are delivered.
The survey will also explore how providers interact with the Legal Aid Agency, including operational challenges and areas where processes could be made more efficient.
Officials said a high response rate would be important to ensure the findings accurately reflect the position across the sector, with the results intended to inform decision-making at both operational and policy levels.
The survey will be distributed directly to providers, with each office receiving a unique link sent to the nominated liaison contact within the organisation.
The Legal Aid Agency said participation would give providers an opportunity to share their experiences and contribute to shaping future changes, with responses helping to highlight both pressures and areas of good practice.
The exercise comes amid continued focus on capacity and sustainability in the legal aid sector, with the government seeking more comprehensive data to better understand how services are being delivered and where further support may be required.