About Legal Aid
The Government provides funding for Legal Aid to help people (a) protect their basic rights and get a fair hearing; (b) access the court process to sort out disputes; (c) solve problems that contribute to social exclusion.
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) runs the Legal Aid scheme in England and Wales. The LSC fund us to:-
a) Advise people on their legal problems (such as family breakdown, debt and eviction);
b) Help people understand their rights and the law;
c) Advise people detained in police stations; and,
d) if necessary represent people in court.
The Community Legal Service (CLS) deals with the Civil Legal Aid scheme. Civil Law is the section of law that deals with disputes between individuals or organisations. Rather than any sentence, custodial or otherwise, the end result is usually financial compensation.
People experiencing social problems often need legal advice in areas such as relationship breakdown, debt, housing, domestic violence and benefits. Help is also available for employment issues.
Civil Legal Aid can fund:-
(a) Initial advice and assistance with any legal problem;
(b) A solicitor who can speak on someone’s behalf at court hearings without formally representing them;
(c) Help and advice on family disputes including assistance with Family Mediation;
(d) Legal representation in court proceedings.
The LSC award Civil Legal Aid to those who meet certain conditions, namely:-
(i) Financial means (financial eligibility test look at client’s income and capital);
(ii) Legal merits test laid down by Parliament (eg the case’s likelihood of success);
We are empowered by the LSC in certain circumstances to grant legal aid ourselves to clients immediately.
The Criminal Defence Service (CDS) use Criminal Legal Aid to help people who are under investigation or facing criminal charges.
Criminal Legal Aid can fund:-
a) Advice and assistance from a solicitor on criminal matters;
b) Free legal advice from a solicitor at the Police Station during questioning;
c) The cost of a solicitor preparing a case and initial representation for certain proceedings at a Magistrates’ or Crown Court;
d) Full legal aid representation for defence in criminal cases at all levels;
e) A duty solicitor provides free legal advice and representation at Magistrates’ Court.
In the Magistrates’ Courts, Legal Aid can be granted to defendants who meet certain conditions:-
(i) Financial means (financial eligibility tests look at a client’s income and capital);
(ii) Legal merit test laid down by Parliament (e.g. could the defendant be imprisoned).
We are able to deal with all of the above matters and we are willing to consider your application for Legal Aid.
Jacobs & Reeves: Sound, professional legal advice in a modern world