- Millions of pieces of personal data, including criminal records, national insurance numbers, employment status and financial data, were stolen from Legal Aid applicants in a cyberattack on the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).
- The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed the breach, which affected data from applicants since 2010, and attributed it to "neglect and mismanagement" by the previous government.
- The LAA's online services have been taken offline to protect user data, and the MoJ is working with the National Cyber Security Centre and National Crime Agency to investigate.
- LAA chief executive Jane Harbottle apologised for the breach and assured the public that contingency plans are in place to ensure continued access to Legal Aid services.
- The Law Society called for immediate action and investment to update the LAA's outdated IT system, highlighting the vulnerability of Legal Aid firms and the need for continued public trust in the justice system.
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