Contents

1. Overview
2. What you can get legal aid for
3. Financial eligibility
4. How to apply
5. Funding for exceptional cases
6. Domestic abuse
7. Legal problems abroad

What you can get legal aid for

You could get help with the costs of legal advice or getting someone to speak or negotiate for you.

If you qualify for legal aid, you could get:

• advice on your rights and options
• help with negotiations and paperwork
• help if you’re accused of a crime, for example advice at a police station
• a solicitor or barrister to get your case ready and speak on your behalf in court and some tribunals

Civil (non-criminal) cases

You might be able to get legal aid for problems like:

• homelessness or losing your home, or if it’s in serious disrepair
• protecting yourself or your child from abuse or harassment, for example domestic abuse or forced marriage
• poor quality care you or a family member are getting due to age, disability or special educational needs
• 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
• discrimination
• challenging the way the government has made a decision about you
• seeking asylum or if you’ve been the victim of human trafficking
• needing advice if a family member’s death is going to a coroner’s inquest
• appealing a decision made by the social security tribunal about your benefits to the Upper Tribunal, Court of Appeal or Supreme Court

Check if you can get legal aid for your type of problem.

If your human rights are at risk, you could get legal aid for cases that would not usually be eligible.

Criminal cases

You have the right to free legal advice if you’re questioned at a police station.

You’ll automatically get legal aid for legal representation in court if you’re under 16 (or under 18 and in full-time education) or on certain benefits.