enquiries@174familylaw.co.uk

  The Lauries, 142 Claughton Rd, Birkenhead, CH41 6EY

      

 

  Get Directions

      

Home / Legal Aid

Legal Aid

Who said Legal Aid has gone!

Contrary to the public conception legal aid is still available for Family Matters. There are some stringent criteria to overcome to be eligible but legal aid can help to meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal.

Is Legal Aid free?

Legal Aid is funding your legal fees upfront, without you worrying about how you can finance your lawyer. However you may have to pay those fees back or contribute to them.

Am I eligible for Legal Aid?

To find out, first you will need to show that the circumstances of your case justify Legal Aid and also that your income falls within the relevant earnings threshold.

Exceptional Case Funding

You may still be eligible for legal aid in other exceptional cases, if you can show that being refused Legal Aid would infringe your fundamental Human Rights.

Would you like to be assessed for legal aid?

Check out the legal aid calculator to see if we can help you!

Get Started

How to prepare for your first meeting with your Lawyer

If you would like to be assessed for Legal Aid at our first meeting, then we will need you to bring with you the evidence below. Without this we may not be able to help you.

We will need evidence to show you are financially eligible and written evidence of Domestic Abuse / Child protection. 

Once we have this we will be able to apply for Legal Aid for you. This is particularly important if you need emergency protection.

FINANCIAL EVIDENCE

Financial evidence must not be dated more than a month prior to your first meet and consist of:

  • Benefits – including benefits statements. If ESA or JSA whether this is income or contribution based.
  • Income, savings and spending – including one month supply of pay slips, accounts and tax return if self employed
  • last 3 month bank  statements for each account in your sole name and in joint names ( if any) unless self employed in which case statements dating back to last set of accounts / tax return.
  • Evidence to show your mortgage / rental payment
  • Evidence to show any child maintenance payments
  • Evidence of any child care costs you may pay.

DOMESTIC ABUSE 

If you or a child has suffered Domestic abuse  we will need written evidence of this.

Check out the links below and download and print any applicable sample letter to send to the police, courts, or medical and social services, depending on whether:

You’ve been a victim

Your children have been victims

LEGAL AID – MORE INFORMATION

Below are a list of commonly asked questions asked by our clients

What counts as domestic abuse for legal aid?
You might be able to get legal aid if you have evidence that you or your children have been victims of domestic abuse or violence and you cannot afford to pay legal costs. You do not have to get evidence before talking with us , but we will need to see it before deciding whether you can get legal aid. You or your children must have been victims of either: domestic abuse or violence, coercive or controlling behaviour or financial control. In relation to children issues you must show there are child protection issues and the person who you are seeking legal advice about is the perpetrator of the abuse.
How can I prove Domestic Abuse?
You’ll usually need to show that you or your children were at risk of harm from an ex-partner. You can ask for evidence from: the courts the police a multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC) social services a health professional, for example a doctor, nurse, midwife, psychologist or health visitor a refuge manager a domestic violence support service your bank, for example credit card accounts, loan documents and statements your employer, or education or training provider the provider of any benefits you’ve received
If there isnt any Domestic Abuse can I still get Legal aid?
Yes. You mat not be automatically entitled to Legal aid for legal advice but you may still be eligible for legal aid with a mediator who can help you with all family matters. You may then be entitled to some free legal advice to support you through mediation with the benefit of legal aid.
What will legal aid cover?
You might be able to get legal aid for problems like: protecting yourself or your child from abuse or harassment, for example domestic violence or forced marriage, needing advice on finances, children or divorce if you’ve been in an abusive relationship, a child in your family being at risk of being taken into care, family mediation, for example if you’re separating or getting a divorce or if your case falls within an exceptional case.

    STAY CONNECTED