Legal Aid

What is Legal Aid?

It is help for people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. It helps you:

• Get legal advice.
• Go to court.
• Understand your rights and options.
• Handle negotiations and paperwork.
• Get a solicitor or barrister to prepare your case
  • And represent you in court or tribunals.
  • A solicitor can give legal advice and handle paperwork..
  • A barrister can help represent you in court.

Am I entitled to Legal Aid?

If you get benefits like:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

You or your family are at risk:

• Of serious harm.
• Of losing your home.

Or are:

• Being discriminated against.
• Making a legal case under the Human Rights Act (1988).

What Legal Aid can cover

Family issues

• Divorce.
• Custody of children.

Housing problems

• Evictions.
  • But not possession orders.
  • This is the legal step that comes before an eviction.
• Bad living conditions.

Benefits

• Issues with welfare
• Issues with disability benefits.

Criminal cases

• If you are accused of a crime.

Steps to applying for Legal Aid

• First check if you qualify for Legal Aid.
• Then contact a Legal Aid solicitor
  • Find a solicitor from our service directory.
  • They will apply for legal aid for you.
  • Also see the Gov website to find a legal aid adviser or family mediator.
• Give details about your benefits, income, and savings.

Exceptional cases

You might get legal aid in special situations if refusing it would affect your:

• Rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
• EU rights to legal representation.
• This is because they ensure everyone has the right to a fair trial and the right to have a lawyer.
• Without legal aid, you might not have a fair chance to defend yourself.

Advice Now

• Service: Provides accurate information on rights and the law.

Civil Legal Advice (CLA)

• Service: Free, confidential advice in England and Wales if you qualify for legal aid.
• Phone: 0345 345 4 345
  • Open Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 8.00pm
  • Saturday: 9.00am to 12.30pm

Citizens Advice

• Service: Provides free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice.

Law Centres Network

• Service: Offers legal advice, casework, and representation.