The UK prides itself on a fair and transparent justice system. One key aspect of this system is Legal Aid.
What Is Legal Aid?
Anyone in the UK is entitled to receive free legal advice if you are arrested or being questioned by the police. Legal aid might cover direct legal advice, family mediation or even representation in court if necessary.
Legal Aid isn’t always a given, though. If, for example, someone is arrested, it’s essential that the person seeks legal advice as soon as possible. The solicitor will, at that point, give legal advice and ask questions to determine whether the person’s case is strong enough for Legal Aid to be given.
Sometimes it might be necessary for a person to pay some costs towards the legal costs of their case. Sometimes it’s also necessary to pay back some of the costs if your case is successful.
Specialists such as //www.novo-modo.co.uk/litigation-funding can assist with legal advice of all sorts, including litigation funding where a person feels that they have been treated unfairly and wish to bring about a claim.
When Does Legal Aid Apply?
To be eligible for Legal Aid, certain circumstances need to apply. One of those is that your case needs to be eligible. The problem must be serious – for example, legal aid for family mediation will only be granted if you or your family are at risk of violence or harm. Likewise, legal aid is likely to be granted if you are at risk of losing your home.
Furthermore, you must have a strong legal case. Because it’s not always clear cut, there is an online tool to help people ascertain whether or not they are likely to be approved for legal aid available on the Government website.
Additionally, the very nature of Legal Aid means that you must prove you are otherwise unable to pay for your own legal representation. As we mentioned earlier, a person can sometimes be required to repay a percentage of the legal costs should the case be successful.