Legal Aid

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What is legal aid?

Legal Aid is designed to help eligible people meet the costs of legal advice and representation in court or tribunal proceedings. Public funding (legal aid) is always available for public law care proceedings. This is when social services have provided you with a Letter Before Action or has informed you they are issuing court proceedings in relation to your child.

At Brighton & Hove Law, we specialise in work of this nature. If social services have asked you to come to a “Meeting Before Action” or to court, we can arrange expert representation for you.

Do I qualify for legal aid?

In other family cases, legal aid will only be available under certain specific circumstances:

  • Injunctions / Non – molestation Orders
  • Applications under the Forced Marriages Act
  • Mediation (subject to financial eligibility and assessment by a mediator)

Unless there has been domestic and/or child abuse, legal aid is now no longer available for divorce, parental access to children or child arrangements, and financial applications between married couples, civil partners or cohabitees.

Subject to eligibility, you may still get funding for a divorce conducted through mediation. We do not undertake publicly funded mediation work and you will need to contact the Legal Aid Agency for details of such providers.

Domestic Abuse

Abuse must be documented and the requirements as to evidence of domestic abuse are strict. We recommend contacting us to discuss whether the circumstances of your case fulfil the eligibility requirements. You can assess your eligibility further here: Check if you can get legal aid – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Some simplified examples of the type of evidence required are :

  • Your partner has an unspent conviction for domestic violence or child abuse
  • Your partner has a recent police caution for domestic violence or child abuse
  • There are current criminal proceedings against your partner for domestic violence or child abuse
  • There is a current or recent protective injunction / non molestation order against your partner
  • There is a confirmation from an assessment conference that you are at high risk of domestic violence or are subject to a protection plan
  • A health professional confirms that you have had injuries or a condition consistent with those of a victim of domestic violence
  • A social services department has assessed that there is a risk of domestic violence or child abuse from your partner
  • A social services department has put in place a child protection plan
  • A domestic violence support organisation confirms that you had been admitted to refuge accommodation
  • A letter from an organisation providing domestic abuse support services confirming you have been offered support as a victim of domestic abuse

For more information, have a look at the link below that details different forms of evidence:

https://www.gov.uk/legal-aid/domestic-abuse-or-violence

Client Testimonials

Samantha Barker is extremely experienced and able. Samantha turns her hand to a wide range of children work, particularly care work achieving outstanding outcomes for a variety of clients who often present as extremely vulnerable. The team at Brighton and Hove Law have a wide breadth of practice which is second to none.

Kristina Hopper, Barrister

I’d like to thank you for your assistance. Your friendly, professional manner has been greatly appreciated particularly with such a sensitive and stressful subject. I’m very pleased I chose your firm.

Ms K

Lucy is a robust, calm and thoughtful solicitor with an amazing eye for detail and sound judgement. She is a strategic thinker who is excellent with clients, approachable, empathetic and gives clear advice that is always focused on a pragmatic outcome. She goes above and beyond to assist clients and is top-tier.

Ben Earle, Barrister

Many thanks for your advice and guidance throughout this very stressful process. Your careful and considered approach, your good advice and your empathetic professionalism have helped to reduce my anxiety levels immeasurably. I would wholeheartedly and unreservedly recommend your services to anyone going through this horrible process.

Confidential

Jennifer Lynch is astute, efficient and very effective. She builds up a good rapport with her clients and can be relied on to deliver in every case.

Gerardine Buckley, Barrister

It is always a pleasure to be instructed by Brighton and Hove Law. Their team are extremely dedicated, hard working, knowledgeable and professional. They are on top of their game; clients consistently receive gold standard care and advice and counsel have well prepared briefs.

Sarah Taite, Barrister

If I could give an abundance of stars to rate Brighton and Hove Law I would. They have given an excellent service all round.
The care and personal attention given has been amazing. The support and understanding has been unmeasurable.

Confidential

I would just like to say from me and my family that you are amazing. From beginning to end you have been fantastic. We can’t thank you enough for everything you have done to help us in achieving our goals. Thank you for everything I really can’t put into the words my true feelings of joy.

Mr H

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