Who Is Entitled to Legal Aid in Scotland
The Legal Aid Business Support and Recovery Fund recognises the crucial role legal firms play in the justice sector as Scotland recovers from COVID-19. It also ensures the availability of legal services for those most affected by the pandemic. Depending on the nature of the case, a person may receive legal aid from other sources. Some of them are listed below. Legal aid is the help you can sometimes get if you can`t afford your own legal fees. You can seek advice and assistance, as well as civil legal aid, in any matter involving a question of Scottish law. If the legal issue you have is not on the list of case categories, a lawyer can offer you a diagnostic interview or other legal work up to a maximum of £35. If, during this initial work, the lawyer identifies an important issue that is on the list of case categories, you can seek full advice and assistance if you are financially eligible. You can check what is included in the list of case categories appended to this document. You can contact our suitability assessors to find out if you are likely to be financially eligible for legal aid. Financial eligibility is only one of the prerequisites for legal aid.
Even if you are financially eligible, your case must pass additional tests. Legal aid is a fundamental part of the Scottish legal system and society. It makes access to legal representation and legal advice more affordable for those who need it. A child can apply for legal aid if you are old enough to understand why you need a lawyer to help you and ask a lawyer to work for you. Download leaflets or watch BSL videos with information for legal aid seekers, opponents, youth and children. You should consider all your legal aid options – some might be cheaper or free. The advice and support programme includes advice on general legal issues included in a list of case categories, including advice on: We fund projects across Scotland to help people facing legal problems. Current projects can help solve one or more of the following types of problems: In some cases, costs are not deducted from your premium, for example, if the money is alimony or government benefits. It is important to discuss this with the lawyer before applying for legal aid. If you have lost part of your normal income because you have been on leave or have lost your job, the Scottish Legal Aid Board will carry out a financial assessment based on the last 12 months if you are a new applicant.
The granting of legal aid may depend on both the seriousness of your case and your financial situation. Legal aid does not include representation in most courts or for simple proceedings in the sheriff`s court up to a value of £3,000. However, you may be entitled to assistance with legal fees related to the preparation of a case under the advice and support programme (see under Advice and Support). For more information about helping with legal fees, including PDSO, you should contact an experienced advisor from your local citizen advisory office. Automotive organizations, such as AA or FCAC, may offer cheap or free legal advice if the person is a member. This can help cover the cost of legal advice from a lawyer, such as information about your rights and options, or help with negotiations and paperwork. You can check your eligibility by estimating civil legal aid on the Scottish Legal Aid Board website. Legal aid may include additional payments to cover the reasonable costs of communication assistance from the date of legal aid. Legal aid may only be granted to one individual. If your case involves your limited liability partnership or partnership, you are unlikely to qualify for civil legal aid.
To facilitate access to a lawyer, legal aid may also cover the following costs: The type of legal aid you are applying for depends on the type of legal aid you need (you can talk to your lawyer): The legal aid system provides publicly funded legal advice and representation to those who need it most. It is an essential element of access to justice. Some university law schools offer free legal aid clinics to people living in the local community. Advice is provided by law students, supervised by qualified lawyers. You usually have to show that you cannot afford legal aid yourself and that your problem is serious. Examples of cases covered by civil legal aid include: You may be eligible for legal aid if you are a litigator with the other partners in your firm, but you would not be eligible if you applied for legal aid on behalf of the partnership. Professional organisations such as housing advice centres or financial advice centres may be able to provide specialist legal advice. Find out how to contact us to find out more about eligibility for civil legal aid. The fund was established after close consultation with the legal profession and is distributed to legal aid firms under the Scottish Government`s Recover, Renew and Transform programme to support the justice sector. Use the Scottish Government`s guide to legal advice and legal aid (link to the external website mygov.scot) to find out more about free help with legal problems, finding a lawyer and applying for legal aid.
