Legal Aid

Legal Aid is state funded financial assistance designed to provide for free legal advice from a solicitor at a police station during questioning, the costs of a solicitor preparing a case, and the costs of representation for a defendant in criminal cases at the Magistrates' Court.

You may be entitled to free legal aid for your case. Anyone can apply for Legal Aid, but whether you qualify will depend on your financial situation (‘Means’) and the nature of the case (‘Interests of Justice’).  Even if you own your own home and have some savings in the bank, you could still get some financial help. Over 90% of our clients obtain Legal Aid. The legal aid scheme is fairly complicated, and is subject to frequent change, so we will take the time to complete your application with you and submit this on your behalf for assessment. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

If you are granted legal aid, you will not have to pay your own defence costs, unless you are convicted in the Crown Court, where the judge may order you to pay all or part of those costs.

Every one of our clients, whether privately funded or legally aided will receive the same level of service.