Legal Aid Solicitors 

We are one of the few law firms on the South Coast to provide legal aid under certain circumstances within immigration law, family law and criminal law. Legal aid is government funding that helps meet the costs of legal advice and representation in a Court or Tribunal. Not everyone is entitled to legal aid and is granted by the Legal Aid Agency based on your financial circumstances and whether you have a good case. We will always advise you on whether you are entitled to legal aid after your initial enquiry, but please do not assume that you are automatically entitled to legal aid because you receive state benefits or are on a low income, because this is not the case.

Please be aware that we ONLY provide legal aid under certain circumstances within:

Our legal aid contract only covers certain areas of England and depends on the nature of your case.

Legal Aid for Immigration Cases

If you have come to the UK as an Asylum Seeker, or you are a victim of Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery, you may be entitled to legal aid. You will need to meet the financial criteria by supplying us with your income-related documents such as bank statements and proof of Asylum Support. In most cases, those that arrive in the UK seeking asylum should receive support from the National Asylum Support Service, where you will need to prove your eligibility for legal aid with a letter from NASS dated within the last 6 months. If you are supported by a third party, for example, a friend or family member who has British citizenship or other Leave to Remain, we can explain to you the evidence required to establish whether you are entitled to legal aid on this basis.

Legal Aid for Family Cases

Legal aid for family law matters falls into two categories, known as Public Law and Private Law.

Public law cases generally arise when a local authority, usually Social Services, intervenes in a family by bringing care proceedings, sometimes known as a Care Order. Legal aid for public law cases is generally automatically granted no matter your financial circumstances.

Private law cases typically involve disputes within families between partners and parents, however, you will only be entitled to legal aid if there is evidence of domestic abuse from an ‘associated person’. The action taken in these cases will aim to resolve separation and divorce, some financial remedies where children are involved and child arrangements.

Legal Aid for Criminal Cases

Suspects who are under arrest at the police station will automatically be entitled to receive legal advice from a Duty Solicitor.

If you are charged with a criminal offence, you may have access to legal aid depending on the type of crime you are charged with and your financial circumstances. However, if your case is heard at the Crown Court, you are automatically entitled to legal aid, but you may have to contribute to any fees depending on your financial circumstances.

Entitlement for legal aid under criminal law is advised on a case-by-case basis.

Proof of income for legal aid

To apply for legal aid, you will need to prove, in some cases, that you cannot afford to pay for legal services yourself. You can receive legal aid if you’re on a low income, have no savings or have savings below £8,000.

You can qualify for legal aid if you receive:

If you do not receive any of the above benefits, but your monthly income before tax is below £2,657 you can still be eligible. You will need to provide documents to confirm your income.

In support of your application to receive legal aid you may have to provide:

These are not required where an application for legal aid relates to care proceedings.