Legal Aid Solicitors in London
Updated on Thursday 30th November 2023
Rate this article based on 12 reviews
According to the laws in the United Kingdom, persons accused of serious offences can solicit legal aid and can ask for representation in the court of law from a solicitor. Also, victims of abuse or forced marriage can solicit legal aid in UK. It is good to know that the eligibility for obtaining legal aid is normally established by the Legal Aid Agency in UK. Our legal aid solicitors in London can represent offenders in the court of law if they benefit from legal aid.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who can solicit legal aid? | - persons with financial difficulties, - minors with no personal funds, - victims of violence, - persons who cannot afford the costs of a solicitor |
Agency in charge for verifications | Legal Aid Agency in UK |
Eligibility criteria for legal aid | - financial status, - type of offence, criminal charges |
| Legal aid for forced marriage (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Legal aid for domestic abuse (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Legal aid for family violence (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Who can verify the eligibility criteria? | Magistrates' Court |
| Reevaluation in case of legal aid refusal (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Formalities to solicit legal aid | - police declaration, - bank statements, - medical reports |
| Legal aid for emergency cases (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Representation in the court of law | By one of our legal aid solicitors |
| Legal aid for minors in police custody (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Legal aid in cases of human trafficking (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Legal aid for exceptional cases | Persons are protected by the European Convention on Human Rights |
| Legal aid in civil cases | Evidence of personal income |
| Legal aid schemes | - criminal legal aid, - civil legal aid, - legal advice and assistance |
Availability of our legal aid solicitors in UK |
24/7, no need to wait for appointments. |
Representation in Civil Courts in UK |
We offer representation in higher courts and lower courts. |
| Criminal cases and legal aid in UK | Clients are represented in the Court of Appeal, Crown Court, Magistrate's Courts. |
| Legal aid in private prosecution | Not available |
| Information required for requesting legal aid | - National Insurance Number, - details about income, - letter from Social Security Agency |
| Appealing legal aid decision | Persons who do not receive legal aid can appeal the decision with the help of our defence solicitors. |
| What is a statutory charge? | In some cases, the costs of legal aid must be paid. Our defence solicitor in UK can tell you more about that situation. |
| Protection of children in cases of domestic abuse | Legal aid is also granted to children who are part of a domestic violence case, alongside family members involved. |
| Legal aid for clinical negligence (YES/NO) | YES |
| Legal aid for immigration detention (YES/NO) | YES |
| Legal aid for persons involved in home eviction cases (YES/NO) | YES |
| Using the eligibility calculator | Our legal aid solicitors can use it to determine if you are eligible or not for such legal support. |
| What kind of emergency cases can receive legal aid? | Cases involving minors and domestic abuse, victims of violence, losing the home, etc. |
| Why work with our legal aid solicitors in UK? | We offer comprehensive legal advice for persons found in difficult situations. Contact us for extra details on legal aid. |
What is legal aid?
Free legal aid is the type of service that can be offered in the court of law for persons accused of serious crimes who cannot sustain the costs of a criminal defence solicitor in London. In most cases, persons who do not work or have any funds are candidates to obtain legal aid in UK. The eligibility criteria are determined in accordance with the case, the circumstances and the persons involved. Our legal aid lawyers in London can provide help for offenders guilty of crimes and can support them with complete legal advice starting from the police station.
What are the eligibility criteria for obtaining legal aid?
Minors under 18 years of age, in full-time education and no personal funds, victims of violence and family abuse, discriminated persons, women involved in a forced marriage or persons who are about to lose their home can solicit legal aid. It is good to know that the Legal Aid Agency in UK is entitled to verify such cases and can determine whether a person can afford a criminal solicitor in London or not. In most cases, this authority will collaborate with the financial institutions in order to make the necessary verifications and see if such individuals can pay for a lawyer or not. In other words, the expenses for a solicitor in London will not be supported by victims.
On the other hand, if your financial status changes and if the Legal Aid Agency discovers, you might be solicited to pay the expenses related to the legal aid. Let us remind you that our legal aid lawyers in London can tell you more about the eligibility criteria for legal aid and can provide you with complete advice and representation.
Can I receive legal aid for domestic abuse?
Yes, if you are a victim of abuse and you need help, you can ask for free legal aid and get in touch with our team of legal aid solicitors in London. Conditions like the following are imposed in the cases of victims of abuse and violence:
- The Legal Aid Agency will ask for financial proof, police statements, and treatments after domestic abuse.
- Victims of family violence who are about to lose their homes are entitled to ask for free legal aid.
- Women and children who are victims of abuse and family violence can solicit legal aid.
- Minors who cannot sustain their life and who were victims of abuse can be represented by a legal aid lawyer in London.
Comprehensive information about how to obtain legal aid in UK can be offered by our legal aid solicitors in London. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you are a victim of violence and family abuse and ask for immediate legal advice. Violent behavior, rape, bullying, sexual violence, threatening or abusive behavior are considered domestic abuse for which you can solicit legal aid.
Legal aid at the Magistrates’ Court
There are numerous cases sent to the Magistrates’ Court, and when asking for legal aid, specific testing methods are suggested, and that to elect the persons who need such kind of support. In the case a person failed the initial test or did not present enough eligibility criteria, the legal representation and the costs involved must be observed. It is good to know that a refusal in the case of a legal aid request can be contested in the Magistrates’ Court, a situation where the eligibility criteria are verified once again.
It is good to know that the procedure can be retaken if the initial decision was considered wrongful in the first place. Once the reevaluation is done, there are lots of chances for an offender to receive legal aid at the Magistrates’ Court. It is important to know that legal aid cannot be granted in cases of business crimes accusations or for persons accused of personal injuries and related cases. If you would like to know more about how you can receive legal aid at the Magistrates’ Court, you may get in touch with one of our legal aid solicitors in London.
When you can get legal aid
There are numerous cases in which legal aid is granted, such as situations in which a person is about to lose a home, forced marriage, child abuse, or abusive relationship for which financial legal advice is needed. Legal aid is also granted to parents who are in the difficult position of losing a child due to separation, discrimination or divorce. Also, persons who are victims of human trafficking or who are asking for asylum are eligible for getting legal aid. The same free support is offered to persons who have received a decision from the social security tribunal and want to appeal it to the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal in UK.
Interested in a team of drug lawyers in London? One of our experts can represent you if you have been accused of possession of drugs, consumption, or supply. Some cases might be complicated and get quite complex on the way, which is why a legal representative is recommended. We can offer optimal solutions for your problems, verify the evidence, and witness declarations, so feel free to get in touch with us as soon as possible.
Are there any exceptional cases of legal aid in UK?
Yes, persons who believe that a legal aid refusal would infringe the EU rights to legal representation and the rights mentioned by the European Convention on Human Rights or the ECHR as it is known, are considered exceptional cases in UK. A legal aid solicitor in London knows the applicable legislation for these special cases and can tell you more about your rights to obtain legal aid.
Our serious fraud solicitors in London can represent you in corruption cases, bribery, or money laundering. Accusations like these are quite severe and can damage the image of a person, so it is highly recommended to address a lawyer with experience in such situations. We will analyze the evidence and then propose the required defence strategies for your case. Contact us as soon as you face such difficulties.
Legal aid for mediation cases
A mediator intervenes when the ex-couple wants to divide their properties, money, investments, savings, or when they want to establish child custody. There are cases in which the separation has been done in an abusive or violent manner or cases in which one of the partners might lose the home, and therefore, he or she cannot afford the services of a legal adviser. This is where legal aid can be solicited, and one of the lawyers in London can tell if the case needs to go in the court of law, especially if family abuse and violence have been reported.
Getting legal aid in emergency cases in UK
An urgent representation in the court of law is a serious matter where legal aid can play a major role right from the start. In this situation, your legal aid solicitor in London can apply on your behalf to the Emergency Legal Representation, to receive immediate action. Free legal advice is offered by phone if you are in police custody. At the same time, your case will be verified to see if legal aid is approved. The process will commence if information about your incomes, savings, and insurance number will be provided.
For family cases, birth and marriage certificates are needed. We remind you that if during your case, the financial situation changes, the expenses will have to be considered. Want more details about how to obtain legal aid in UK? Feel free to get in touch with one of our legal aid solicitors in London and ask for in-depth support and legal advice.
Legal aid for employee frauds
Employee frauds are for sure in the attention of companies who continue to struggle against the phenomenon. Inventory thefts, expense reimbursement frauds, cheque forgery, theft of cash, commission fraud, theft of services, procurement fraud, and worker’s compensation fraud are the most common employee frauds for which serious penalties and even imprisonment are issued. Such cases are seriously treated inside a company and also by the authorities, so complete legal advice from a legal aid solicitor in London is recommended.
If the persons accused of employee fraud cannot afford legal assistance, and if the authorities conclude this situation is real, they can benefit from legal aid. One of our legal aid solicitors in London can give proper advice and can explain the rights in such cases. Employee frauds are considered serious offences in UK and persons found guilty of such crimes can face years of imprisonment. On the other hand, if there is no tangible and substantial evidence, the charges can be dropped. Here is a video presentation we prepared for you:
Legal aid for murder cases
Minors involved in murder cases or suspected of manslaughter can benefit from legal aid in UK. The most serious cases are the ones involving teenagers under 18 years of age who do not have a home, financial stability, parents or tutors by their side. Such cases are extremely complicated, and complete and immediate legal assistance is recommended, starting at the police station if minors are kept in custody. One of our legal aid defence solicitors in London can take over the case and prepare a suitable defence by analyzing the evidence and the circumstances. Manslaughter cases are quite complex and the legal representation of our legal aid lawyers in London will prove extremely helpful. Minors subject of State Pension Guarantee Credit, Income Support, Income-based Employment, and Support Allowance or Universal Credit are legal aid guaranteed, according to the applicable laws in UK.
Legal aid and interests of justice
When considering offering legal aid to a defendant, the Legal Aid Agency in UK will pay attention to the merits of a criminal case. In other words, the nature of the offence will be attentively examined, alongside previous convictions revealed by the criminal record and if a custodial sentence is needed. According to the legislation, the interests of justice enter the discussion by appealing the decision of not offering legal aid in a particular criminal case. One of our legal aid solicitors in London can tell you more about such situations.
Granting the legal aid in the court of law
It is important to know that a judge in the court of law will establish whether it is the case to approve the legal aid or not. The decision in this matter is based on the entire case, the evidence presented, the circumstances, the financial status of a person asking for free legal advice, and the criminal record of an offender. The verdict of approving the legal aid for a person accused of crimes might prolong if he or she is subject to humanitarian protection, refugee status or anything like it. The judge in charge of approving legal aid will closely work with the entitled authorities, solicitors, and other competent specialists or agencies in UK. The eligibility criteria are attentively measured, a situation in which legal assistance is recommended.
Can legal aid be granted during an investigation?
In most of the cases, the prosecutors will ask for a lawyer at the beginning of the proceedings, in order to avoid the bureaucratic process that might be complex during an investigation. Even so, many offenders kept in police custody or subject to pretrial custody might not have the support of a legal aid solicitor in London.
However, criminals are informed about the right to have legal support from the start, alongside medical aid, a translator, etc. Moreover, it is important to know that the police are not obliged to inform offenders they have the right to legal aid. The same thing is available for the prosecutor dealing with a criminal case who can determine whether the person involved is eligible for legal aid or not, without having to reveal such an aspect. Even so, if you have been involved in a criminal case, make sure you get in touch with a legal aid solicitor in London and ask for immediate legal representation. It is best to have legal support right from the beginning of the proceedings and know your rights if you have been accused of serious or less serious crimes.
Legal aid statistics for the first three months of 2019
The Legal Aid Agency and the Ministry of Justice in UK are two important institutions that combine the work and issue quarterly reports about legal aid cases in UK among other aspects. Below you can find information and statistics about legal aid cases in UK for the first three months of 2019:
- there were about 837 applications for Exceptional Case Funding registered in UK, up to 16% compared to the same period in 2018;
- the legal aid offered for families in UK increased by 10% compared to the same period in 2018;
- compared to the same period in 2018, a 9% increase was registered for legal help and controlled legal representation applications;
- approximately 9% is the increase for family legal aid cases in UK compared to the same period in 2018.
The benefits of legal aid
If a legal representative is provided to speak on your behalf when accused of serious offences in the UK, you will obtain help. According to your problem or case, you might get legal aid and the rights will be entirely explained. For instance, if you are kept in police custody, you will receive legal advice and you can also be released on bail. Situations like forced marriage, domestic abuse, and risks of losing a home are serious cases where the persons involved can receive legal aid. Our legal aid solicitors in London have a vast experience in criminal cases where complete support and legal advice are necessary.
The Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949 was meant to help the people obtain free access to legal advice and representation in the court of law. Although this law was contested in numerous times, the Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949 still has validity nowadays, guiding and helping people in different situations to benefit from free legal aid if they cannot afford to pay a lawyer. If you want to know more details in this matter you can get in touch with our legal aid solicitors in London who can also offer defence services for individuals accused of serious offences in the UK.
The base of the Legal and Advice Act in the UK
The justice system in England was revised way back in 1914 when solicitors were part of all kind of organizations meant to help a special category of people with legal aid and representation for free. The Poor Persons’ Committees were easily registered in the main cities in the UK, most of them with attorneys as volunteers who accepted cases of serious offences or domestic violence where the individuals involved couldn’t afford to pay the costs of legal advice. This system developed in the ’30s and ’40s with the help of the Treasury in the UK which supported the expenses in this matter. According to the Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949, persons who risk losing their homes, who are victims of abuse, or who are accused of different offences with no evidence in this matter have the right to defend themselves and to ask for legal aid if they cannot afford to pay for a solicitor and his/her services. Moreover, individuals who need family mediation can also request legal aid.
The Legal Aid Agency in UK
LAA or the Legal Aid Agency in UK is the institution in charge of determining the cases in which persons can receive legal aid and free of charge legal services. Discriminated persons, individuals found in the position of losing the house or job in UK, and persons who have been involved in a domestic abuse case are seen as serious cases in which they can solicit legal aid. The Legal Aid Agency has the right to make varied verifications mostly related to the financial status of a person, besides the family matters. However, it is good to know that if legal aid is provided and then information about the financial matters of an individual is reported, the agency can charge that individual and can claim the expenses involved in a criminal case in UK.
Testing schemes for eligibility, according to our legal aid lawyers in London
When a case is sent to the Magistrates' Court, there are certain testing schemes that make a person elected or not for legal aid and for sentencing in the Court. Here are some schemes of the Magistrates' Court in accordance with the legal aid:
• if the initial test is failed, the Court will not grant the legal aid representation and the defendant must pay a part of the costs;
• an applicant can contest a refusal for an action in the Magistrates' Court and can request that a member of the institution to review the initial test of eligibility, but only a refusal can be contested. If the decision was wrong in the first test, the procedure is retaken;
• the Magistrates' Court permits to a defendant to ask for a reevaluation if the condition of the case modifies. In this situation, the defendant may be suitable for legal aid.
Support from our team of legal aid solicitors in London
In order to receive legal aid in UK, it is important to provide specific information to our team of legal aid solicitors in London, such as financial statements from the bank, divorce letters, marriage and birth certificates for family abuse cases, information about medical insurance and the documents showing your case for which you ask for legal aid. Also, offenders who need the legal support of a lawyer and cannot afford it should know that the eligibility criteria are established in the court of law. In this direction, offenders will be asked about their financial status, family, whether there are minors to take care of, or if there are special family conditions to consider. We remind that the Legal Aid Agency through its local offices is the institution that can decide the eligibility for obtaining legal aid in UK. We remind that our criminal defence solicitors in London have experience in criminal cases, domestic abuse, business crimes, traffic offences, drug offences and many more. They can also explain you your legal rights if you have been accused of serious crimes in UK and if you have been sent to police custody.
Please do not hesitate to ask for complete information about how to receive legal aid from our team of legal aid solicitors in London. Contact us for details and support.