When you intend to file a civil, criminal, or family law case, but you don’t have enough money to pay for a lawyer’s services, you can tap on legal aid to get a lawyer for free or a small fee. The legal representation of a Legal Aid Solicitor commences as soon as you walk into the legal aid clinic and decide to accept your case.
However, not everyone is eligible to receive legal aid. Since this is a form of subsidy offered by the government for its citizen to exercise their right to a fair trial, the former also set guidelines for those who can apply for such. Check your Legal Aid Eligibility to know if you can get free legal representation.
What Is The Basis Of The Grant?
Legal aid pays for legal consultation, mediation, and litigation of the recipient. The basis of such a grant is the applicant’s financial means, and the nature and strength of the case. Simply put, those who have the financial capacity to pay for a private practice lawyer are not allowed to file for the service. The same goes for people filing less serious cases that involve housing, debts, and benefits. If you’re charged with a criminal case, you’re also not allowed to access legal aid. Housing cases can only be covered if it could lead to homelessness.
How Much Income Should One Have To Access Legal Aid?
If you check the Legal Aid Services website, they have a questionnaire to determine whether you’ll be qualified for legal aid. To pass base on your financial status, it’s not enough to assert that you come from a low-income family. You need to prove that your household’s combined income from all sources would be lesser than £733 per month. However, certain deductions are allowed when determining financial eligibility.
The best thing to do is to check out the Legal Aid Services’ website and answer the qualifying survey they provided. You can also speak with a Legal Aid Solicitor to know if you’re entitled to their service. You will be required to provide proof of income and benefits to justify your eligibility.
Why Are Debts, Housing, And Benefits Cases Not Allowed Under Legal Aid?
Though important, these cases are less severe and urgent compared to those covered under Legal Aid law. Indeed, domestic violence and divorce cases are more serious and urgent than an action for recovery of debt. The latter also presumes that you’re financially capable since you loan money to people. And even if you’re the debtor, it presupposes that you’re financially capable since your creditor extended credit to you.
The Legal Aid law ratio is to afford the needy and less fortunate access to the justice system to exercise their right to a free trial. These people are marginalised because of their financial status, so it’s just right that the law caters to their needs. In the interest of justice and equity, they are given favourable consideration to equalise the playing field.
If you need legal counsel, but you’re afraid you might not afford the lawyer’s service, talk to a Legal Aid Solicitor today.
