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Legal Aid
Support that can help you pay for legal services.
Article by : SpunOut.ie
- If you are living on a small income there is a scheme that can help you pay for legal services. This can mean that the services of solicitors and if needed, barristers, are cheaply available to you. The service covers anything from being represented in court to having a solicitor's letter written for you.
- To apply for legal aid you will have to take a merits test and a means test. The merits test assesses whether a solicitor would take the case if you had money of your own and the means test tests whether you meet the financial criteria for legal aid. The means test looks at both your income (salary, wages, any benefits) and your capital resources (the things you own, cars, houses, bank savings, investments and so on).
- You need to show evidence of your latest payslip or social welfare payment slip, proof or identity and a rent book or mortgage statement.
- The Legal Aid Board can get information from the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners about your income or capital.
- The means test will decide if you are eligible for legal aid and if so, how much you have to contribute (depending on your finances and how much the legal advice is going to cost).
- For legal aid for criminal law cases you apply to the District Justice/ Judge on your first appearance in court.
- Contact the Legal Aid Board for more information.
- All young people under 18 are entitled to free legal aid.
- Young people over 18 are also entitled to free legal aid if their disposable income is below €18,000. Their parents or guardians income is NOT taken into account. For further information click here.
