Controlled work

Most work in mental health law is carried out under the contract as controlled work. Each firm is allocated a certain maximum number of matters (‘new matter starts’) per schedule period (usually the financial year), although these can be increased in line with the provisions of the contract (see Legal Aid Agency, ‘Requests for Supplementary Matter Starts: Guidance to Contract Managers’ (22 January 2016)).

Types of funding:	Legal Help		Legal Representation
Merits test:	Sufficient benefit test		Reasonableness test
Means testing:	Usually means-tested	Non-means-tested
Types of matter:	Non-tribunal	Tribunal
Fee levels:	Non-tribunal	Level 1 tribunal	Level 2 tribunal	Level 3 tribunal

There is a single Legal Aid form for both funding types (CW1&2 MH).

If the client refuses to sign because of his condition then a supervisor can sign for him and provide a detailed written explanation. In relation to signature requirments during the coronavirus pandemnic, see Case preparation#First meeting.

In Tribunal matters, put your signature under the ‘Controlled Legal Representation’ declaration.

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