Legal aid
Check if you can get legal aid
Use the ‘Check if you can get legal aid’ service to check your eligibility and find out how to apply.
There’s a different way to apply for legal aid in Scotland and apply for legal aid in Northern Ireland.
You’ll be asked questions about your legal problem and your income and savings. Based on your answers, you’ll be told what to do next.
You might:
- speak to someone who can arrange for you to get legal advice by phone
- be told how to find a legal adviser near you
- be told how to find a mediator near you
The phone adviser, legal adviser, or mediator will tell you whether you can get legal aid.
You will not be charged for checking your eligibility.
A legal adviser will apply for legal aid for you. You cannot apply for legal aid on your own.
Check your eligibility
There’s a different way to apply if you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime.
Other ways to check if you’re eligible
If you cannot use the online service, contact the Civil Legal Advice helpline to check if you can get legal aid.
You can also ask for support in British Sign Language (BSL) and other languages.
Civil Legal Advice (CLA)
Telephone: 0345 345 4345
Textphone: 0345 435 4345
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0345 345 4345
Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm
Saturday, 9am to 12:30pm
Find out about call charges
If you do not want someone to know you’re applying for legal aid
Read about how to stay safe using the service. This includes information about how to delete your browsing history and how to exit the site quickly.
If you cannot get legal aid
You may be able to get free advice from:
You can also pay for advice from a legal adviser or solicitor.