Crime
Our firm has a contract with the Legal Aid Agency to provide criminal defence services, and under the terms of that contract we are able to provide you with our services free of charge provided you are granted legal aid (Representation Order).
A defendant who wishes to apply for criminal legal aid in the magistrates’ court must satisfy two tests:
(a) the interests of justice test – the defendant must show that it is in the interests of justice that he receive public funding to cover the cost of his legal representation; and
(b) the means test – the defendant must demonstrate that his finances are such that he is unable to pay for the cost of his legal representation
We are able to advise as to whether, or not, you are likely to qualify for Legal Aid and, provided you can provide us with the relevant information, we can fill in the forms for you and submit them to the Legal Aid Agency.
Family
Our firm has a contract with the Legal Aid Agency to provide advice and assistance in under a Legal Aid Order in relation to Family Work, and under the terms of that contract we are able to provide you with our services free of charge provided you are granted legal aid (Representation Order).
A Client who wishes to apply for Family Legal Aid will need to satisfy the following tests:
(a) Scope – The matter is within the scope of legal aid
(b) Means test – you are unable to afford your own legal costs.
(c) Merits test – the likelihood of success, the reasonableness of the costs and whether a reasonable person would use their own money to pay for the case.
There are three types of Legal Aid available
(a) Legal Help – a solicitor can advise you and negotiate with the other party but cannot represent at court.
(b) Family Mediation – a solicitor can help with negotiating with the other party through mediation. See our page on Family Mediation for more information.
(c) Legal Representation – the solicitor can prepare your case and represent you in court or arrange for a barrister to represent you in court.
Family Legal Aid is available in relation to the following matters
(a) family mediation, to resolve disputes about children and finance on a relationship breakdown – for more information on how mediation costs can be covered see our page on Family Mediation;
(b) applications for a non-molestation order or occupation order;
(c) applications for a restraining order under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997;
(d) applications for a Child Arrangements Order, Prohibited Steps Order or Specific Issue Order, if you or your child have suffered or are at risk of suffering violence or abuse from the other party. For more information about accepted evidence see the bottom of this page;
(e) representation for children who are made party to private family law proceedings;
(f) applications for forced marriage protection orders;
(g) proceedings brought by the local authority for a care order or supervision order;
(h) cases where your child has been or is about to be taken out of the UK without your consent;
(i) exceptional cases, where the refusal of legal aid would infringe your rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) or your EU rights to legal representation;
(j) from 10 December 2015 onwards, applications for post-adoption contact under section 51A Adoption and Children Act 2002, either where there is evidence of domestic violence or child abuse or for a child who is party to the proceedings.
We are able to advise as to whether, or not, you are likely to qualify for Legal Aid and, provided you can provide us with the relevant information, we can fill in the forms for you and submit them to the Legal Aid Agency.
Fee earners specialising in this field. Please click on their name to see relevant experience.
