Technical problems at the Legal Services Commission have delayed all payments due to be made to legal aid solicitors today.

The LSC is set to issue an e-alert later updating the profession on the situation.

Payment systems at the LSC apparently went down for a day and a half, which meant the BACS payment run that was due today could not take place. This will affect civil, crime and standard monthly payments.

In an email communication sent to providers yesterday, Hugh Barrett, executive director for commissioning at the LSC, said: ‘We have escalated this issue to our contracted provider at a very senior level and have invoked our established contingency plans, but these will take some time to fully implement.’ He apologised for any inconvenience caused and said the payments should be made tomorrow (Thursday 7 January).

After being notified of the issue Desmond Hudson, Law Society chief executive, sent a letter to the banks advising them of the development. ‘I would be grateful if you could ensure that local branches are made aware of the position, so that arrangements can be made to assist firms during this very temporary problem that is entirely beyond their control,’ he wrote.

In an email sent to Law Society council members, Hudson said: ‘If any firm suffers a loss as a result of this problem, for example by incurring additional bank charges, we would recommend that they seek recovery of those costs from the LSC.’

Roy Morgan, chairman of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, said: ‘In the most crucial week of the year following the Christmas hiatus, any delay in standard monthly payments can be damaging.

‘IT problems occur but for many contract/tenders it is becoming a common requirement to have a "disaster recovery plan" effective within a few hours. It would be reassuring to know the LSC have such a plan,’ he added.

An LSC spokesperson said: 'The LSC has resolved the issue and payment will be made to providers by 8 January. We apologise again for this one-day delay.'