Changes to Legal Aid

1st February 2013

From the 1st April 2013 the availability of Legal Aid will be greatly reduced and it will only be available for the following types of cases:

• Children Cases where Social Services are involved and there is an issue of protection of children
• Family matters where there is evidence of domestic violence
• Children cases where there is evidence of child abuse
• Representing children as parties in a Children Act case
• Domestic and International Child Abduction
• Legal Advice in support of mediation
• Domestic violence injunction cases
• Forced marriage cases.

In addition, new rules will be introduced for the financial assessment of those who can apply for funding, and those who continue to be in receipt of Legal Aid if there is any change to their financial means after 1st April 2013.

After the changes come into force most people will not be eligible for Legal Aid. Therefore, if you are in need of legal advice it is important to act without delay and see a solicitor before the changes come into force. If you already have legal aid in place, then you will have the benefit of the legal aid continuing subject to you remaining financially eligible.

In the event that you are no longer eligible for legal aid and you need the assistance of a solicitor, we offer fixed fee schemes to you, to help you manage the level of your legal fees. You can choose when you need a solicitor's help, and what you will do for yourself to assist in keeping your costs down.

The Government is suggesting that in future, people should try to resolve their disputes through mediation rather than through the courts and Legal Aid is still available for mediation for those who meet the financial eligibility test after April 2013.

We will be launching our expert mediation department in April to assist those people who wish to mediate.

Please contact our offices for further information about the services we offer.