Legal Aid

In England and Wales - Legal Aid is provided by the Legal Services Commission to citizens who need support through their Community Legal Services (CLS). This funds a network of Quality Marked solicitors, Citizens Advice Bureaux and other advice providers to help people who need advice about relationship breakdown or problems with debt, housing, domestic violence and benefits. Help is also available about asylum and immigration, education, employment, mental health and community care issues. People who are under investigation, or who face legal charges, may seek help under the Criminal Defense Service (CDS).

In Scotland - Legal Aid is provided by the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) who provide civil legal assistance to help people get legal advice and representation in civil cases, and criminal legal assistance to help people who have been charged with a criminal offence to get legal advice and representation.

In Northern Ireland - Legal Aid is provided by the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission who provide a similar range of support.

LSC Legal Services Commission of England and Wales.

SLAB Scottish Legal Aid Board.

NILSC Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission.

Community Legal Service Direct can help you get advice about a legal problem, it can put you in touch with an advisor and provide information about costs. It also produces a range of leaflets on legal topics.

Citizen Advice on getting legal aid.

Find a Solicitor to discuss your legal aid situation.

Fisher Jones Greenwood is a firm of solicitors and legal advisers whose site has a number of calculators to allow you to work out whether you would be eligible for legal aid.