Login | Register




Take Legal Advice

Can I get legal aid?


Legal advice is expensive. Hourly rates for the services of high street solicitors can be as high as £200 (+VAT) - multiply that by the time it takes to resolves a complicated matter and the end result can be an almighty bill.
 
Fortunately, for certain types of cases there are number of ways to avoid having to find the full amount up front and in some circumstances you may not need to pay at all. The Legal Services Commission runs the legal aid service and provides advice and representation for two million people each year. The Community Legal Service (CLS) helps with civil legal problems such as family breakdown, debt and housing, while the Criminal Defence Service (CDS) helps people who are under criminal investigation or who are facing criminal charges.
 
Firstly, find out if you are eligible for legal aid. Although this has suffered significant cutbacks in recent years, this is still generally available for everyone for representation at police stations, and on a means-tested basis for trials at magistrates and Crown courts. Not every firm offers legal aid so you need to look for a legal aid law firm.
 
For civil cases, legal aid is always means tested (and the bar is pretty low) and it is no longer available at all for some types of case, such as more straightforward personal injury claims.
 
Your solicitor will be able to advise on whether you qualify and apply on your behalf.
 
Alternatively, you can check your eligibility with the Community Legal Service's online calculator which is available at http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/en/legalaid/.
 

Find a lawyer >>

Use our free and confidential Matching Service to compare law firms and prices


Legal Guidance articles

Divorce lawyer

Going through a divorce is a stressful time for all concerned. With one in three going through the process (see www.insidedivorce.com), choosing a good lawyer from the range of divorce lawyers can make a big difference.

Offshore

The old image of the wealthy hiding stashing their loot in offshore tax havens in the Bahamas is largely a thing of the past...

Employment law

The volume of employment legislation that has come into existence since Labour came to power in 1997 has been staggering.

Need to Know articles

Redundancy: Employment solicitors explain your rights

More than one in four organisations predict making redundancies in the coming months. To help you understand your rights when faced by such a situation TakeLegalAdvice.com has its Top 10 Tips.

A New Decade for Family Law

TakeLegalAdvice.com looks at the coming decade in divorce and family law

On the Thirteenth Day Of Christmas, My True Love Said To Me: "I Want A Divorce"

TakeLegalAdvice.com investigates the increase in divorce inquiries after the Christmas and New Year break.