Legal Aid Solicitors
What is Legal Aid?
Legal Aid is a government-funded scheme designed to help people who cannot afford legal representation.
It aims to ensure access to justice, providing financial assistance for legal advice, mediation, and court representation in specific circumstances.
What areas of law does Legal Aid cover?
Criminal Defence Legal Aid
Legal Aid is often available for individuals facing criminal charges, ensuring they have legal representation in court. This can include advice at the police station, representation in Magistrates' and Crown Courts, and appeals.
Legal Aid Family Solicitors
Legal Aid is available for certain family law matters, particularly those involving domestic abuse (protection orders, non-molestation orders), child protection proceedings (care orders, supervision orders), and international child abduction.
Mental Health Legal Aid
Legal Aid can be available for representation before mental health tribunals and for advice related to compulsory detention.
Actions Against Public Authorities
This includes cases involving human rights breaches, unlawful detention, and discrimination by public bodies.
Community Care
Legal Aid may be available for disputes relating to social care services, such as assessments, provision of services, and funding.
It’s important to note that Legal Aid eligibility is subject to change and is determined by the Legal Aid Agency.
How do you qualify for Legal Aid?
Financial eligibility: The means test
A means test assesses your financial resources to determine if you qualify for Legal Aid. It considers:
- Gross Monthly Income: Your total income before tax and other deductions.
- Disposable Income: Your income after essential living expenses (rent/mortgage, bills, food, etc.) are deducted.
- Capital: Your savings, investments, and assets (excluding your primary residence in some cases).
There are specific thresholds for each category. If your income or capital exceeds these limits, you may not be eligible for Legal Aid. You can use the government's online eligibility checker (LINK) for an initial assessment, but we advise contacting us for a detailed assessment.
Case strength: Merits test
Even if you meet the financial criteria, your case must also have "merit." This means:
- Your case must have a realistic chance of achieving a positive outcome.
- The matter must be sufficiently serious to warrant public funding.
- The cost of providing Legal Aid must be proportionate to the likely benefits.
The Legal Aid application process
If you’re eligible for Legal Aid, you then need to apply. This involves completing detailed forms and providing supporting documentation to prove your eligibility.
Our support services – Legal Aid law firms
While we cannot apply for Legal Aid on your behalf, we can offer fixed fees for the following services:
- We'll assess your financial situation and the merits of your case to determine your likelihood of qualifying.
- We can guide you through the application forms, ensuring they are completed accurately.
- We can help you gather the necessary documentation to support your application (e.g., bank statements, payslips, medical records).
- If your application is refused, we can advise you on the appeals process.
Why choose SB Lawyers for legal advice?
We have a contract which allows us to provide advice and assistance to clients who quality for Legal Aid, specifically for family matters.
No-nonsense legal advice – clarity when you need it most
At SB Lawyers, we cut through the jargon and provide clear, no-nonsense advice in plain English.
We'll explain your options, Legal Aid eligibility criteria, and the application process in a way you can easily understand. We put you and your needs first with our client-centric approach.
South Wales local knowledge but serving all of England and Wales
Our deep roots in South Wales and Cardiff give us invaluable local knowledge. However, as an SRA-regulated firm, we're authorised to serve clients throughout England and Wales. So, wherever you are located, you can benefit from our expertise.
We adhere to the highest professional standards. This provides you with peace of mind knowing that you are receiving competent, ethical, and accountable legal services. This regulation also ensures we have robust procedures in place for handling client money and data.
Case Study - Family Law - Securing a Safe Future
Case Study - Family Law - Re-establishing a Father-Son Bond
Case Study - Family Law - A Mother and Her Newborn
Linda Parish
Head of Family Law
Linda is an experienced solicitor specialising in all aspects of family law and holds the Law Society’s accreditation in Family Law and is a Resolutions Specialist in child issues and domestic abuse. Since she qualified in 1981, Linda has helped clients with local authority involvement from Child Protection Conferences, advising and representing parents through the PLO process and also specialising in Court Care Proceedings. Linda can represent parents, grandparents and other adults in cases involving children.
Get in contact today with Linda to discuss your claim and he will provide a straightforward approach to achieving your goal alongside a competitive quote with no obligation.
