Criminal history stolen in Legal Aid Agency hack

The UK's Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed that personal data, including criminal records, has been stolen from the Legal Aid online portal.

The MoJ revealed that a cyberattack was launched on the Legal Aid Agency’s online services.

Legal aid is a system that helps those affected “meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal.”

The organization became aware of the breach on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025, but later discovered that the attack “was more extensive than originally understood.”

“We believe the group has accessed and downloaded a significant amount of personal data from those who applied for legal aid through our digital service since 2010,” the MoJ said.

The group responsible for the attack hasn’t been named, and the number of affected individuals is also unclear.

The data involved may include:

• Contact details and addresses of applicants
• Dates of birth
• National ID numbers
• Criminal history
• Employment status
• Financial data such as contribution amounts, debts, and payments

The exposed data, particularly criminal history, is worrisome, as bad actors use this personal information for nefarious purposes.

For example, hackers could use your criminal history for blackmail or extortion.

Other information could also be used to profile a victim in order to commit identity theft, fraud, or execute phishing attacks.

The MoJ urges “all members of the public who have applied for legal aid in this time period to take steps to safeguard themselves.”

Those who applied for legal aid should be aware of suspicious activity, such as unknown calls or messages received.

The public should also “be extra vigilant” and update any leaked passwords that may have been exposed in the breach.

Cybernews has attempted to access the Legal Aid Agency’s online portal. However, the portal has been taken “offline for maintenance from 9 pm until 6 am, and each evening until further notice.”

Jane Harbottle, the Chief Executive Officer of the Legal Aid Agency, has expressed that this news “will be shocking and upsetting for people.”

“I am extremely sorry this has happened,” she said, adding that the agency will “provide further updates shortly.”