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How do you apply for Legal Aid?

Please be aware that the system changes over time and that individual cases are always unique – if you need to know how the legal aid system relates to your own circumstances, contact a lawyer or the citizen’s advice bureaux.

You may like to read the FrankandHonest.com ‘Legal Aid and Legal Help’ page – it offers an introduction and a summary of Legal Aid.

Legal aid helps with the costs of legal advice and support for eligible people. Eligibility relates to your personal financial circumstances and the legal matters concerned.

If you think you may qualify for legal aid then you will need to see a solicitor, or organisation with a contract to provide legal help under the legal help scheme. You will be asked to fill in an application form at the start of the interview. They will then be able to decide whether you qualify.

Children can be eligible for Legal help and help at court. Most cases concern a child below the age of 16 who needs the help of a solicitor. A parent or guardian should apply on the child’s behalf. Sometimes a solicitor can advise a child directly.

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) runs the legal aid scheme in England and Wales.

Links and contact details

Name: Community Legal Advice
Web: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/
Tel: 0845 345 4345
Email:
Info: Community Legal Advice is a free and confidential advice service paid for by legal aid.

Links and contact details

Name: Citizens Advice Bureau
Web: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Info: Citizens Advice Bureaux provide free, confidential and independent advice from over 3,000 locations including in bureaux, GP surgeries, hospitals, colleges, prisons and courts.

Name: Legal Services Commission
Web: www.legalservices.gov.uk
Tel: 0845 608 7070 (English) 0845 609 9989 (Welsh)
Email: cardiff@legalservices.gov.uk
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) looks after legal aid in England and Wales. We also make sure that people get the information, advice and legal help they need to deal with a wide range of problems.

Name: Community Legal Advice
Web: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
Tel: 0845 345 4345
Email:
Info: Community Legal Advice is a free and confidential advice service paid for by legal aid.

Name: Direct Gov
Web: www.direct.gov.uk
Info: Directgov is the website of the UK government. It provides information and online services for the public all in one place.

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