There are many times in life when you might need legal help, and it can be costly, but you may be eligible for cheaper or even free advice depending on your circumstances.
What Is Free Legal Advice?
If you need support in court or legal advice and can’t afford it, you may be able to access Legal Aid or free and reduced-cost legal advice from charities or solicitors or a trade union of which you are a member. You could also get fixed-fee advice from a solicitor to keep costs down or help with court fees.
Legal Aid will cover some or all of your costs, depending on your income and circumstances.
What Sort Of Things Are Covered?
Some legal processes don’t require a solicitor, but it is still advisable to consult one to check that the paperwork is in order and correctly reflects your position. One example is a declaration of trust, when someone who owns assets such as a house declares they are holding it on trust in different shares. Other examples include making a will and arranging transfer of equity, but again, it’s wise to consult a solicitor before signing any legal document. There are many firms such as https://www.parachutelaw.co.uk/deed-of-trust who can offer impartial advice and have the expertise to make sense of legal jargon. You may also want advice on insurance policies, which are often full of lengthy terms and conditions.
How to Access
Legal Aid is for serious cases such as eviction, discrimination or if you are accused of committing a crime and is available for both criminal and civil cases. You may also be covered if you have a case under the Human Rights Act or if you need family mediation.
If it’s a civil case, the gov.uk website can tell you if you’re eligible, and if it’s for family issues, the Child Law Advice website can help. If it’s criminal, you should ask your solicitor if you can get free legal advice. As well as the gov.uk website, the Citizens Advice Bureau has lists of solicitors who provide Legal Aid. Other ways of accessing free legal advice include law centres and charities such as LawWorks.
