Legal Aid
Legal aid can help meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal.
How we can help
Solicitors need a contract to deliver legal aid and RCJ Advice has legal aid contracts in Family, Family mediation and Housing.
To be eligible for legal aid you will usually need to show that:
- your case is eligible for legal aid
- the problem is serious
- you cannot afford to pay for legal costs
The kind of cases you might get legal aid for are
- you or your family are at risk of abuse or serious harm, for example domestic violence or forced marriage
- you’re at risk of homelessness or losing your home
- you need family mediation
- you’re adding legal arguments or bringing a case under the Human Rights Act
Financial means
Most legal aid cases will be means tested; so you will have to show that you cannot afford to pay legal costs. You will be required to give information about your income, benefits, savings, property and shares and those of your partner. We will ask you for proof of your income before we work with you under legal aid. Non means-tested legal aid is available if your child is subject of care or supervision proceedings. You may qualify for legal aid for some injunctions, such as a non-molestation order and other orders relating to domestic abuse.
To submit your triage form: familytriage@rcjadvice.org.uk
For family mediation: mediation@rcjadvice.org.uk
For housing: Housing@rcjadvice.org.uk
Contact us
Email address
familytriage@rcjadvice.org.uk – to submit your triage form
Opening hours
Mon - Fri: 9.30am to 4.30pm
Sat - Sun: Closed
Other information
To calculate whether you qualify on financial grounds for legal advice there is an online calculator here.