Immigration Fees | Appleman Legal

Can I get legal aid in a family case?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, legal aid is available for the following areas of family law:

Social Services Care Proceedings - in the event that social services are applying for a care order, supervision order or emergency protection order in relation to your children, legal aid is always automatically available.

Family members in Care Proceedings – In care Proceedings initiated by social services, it may also be available to extended family members but will depend on whether you are eligible by way of your means and the strength of your case.

Family injunctions - including non-molestation orders, occupation orders, orders under the Protection from Harassment Act and forced marriage protection orders.

Where the person needing legal aid is a child under 18 who is a party to family proceedings.

International and domestic child abduction - including to secure an order to prevent the unlawful removal of a child from the UK or to secure the return of a child unlawfully removed within the jurisdiction. Legal Aid is automatically available if you are the parent abroad who is the victim of an alleged abduction.

Private children disputes - where you have evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse and are eligible by way of your means and the strength of your case.

Divorce and finance matters - where you have evidence of domestic abuse and are eligible by way of your means and the strength of your case.

Please book your Free initial Consultation with us to discuss your case.

How do I become eligible for Legal aid?

Whether you qualify for legal aid will depend on the type of case & your financial circumstances

In certain cases, you will automatically be given legal aid without any means testing.

In other cases, you will usually have to give details and evidence of your income, benefits, savings and property, and those of your partner.

If you are under 18, you may need to give information about your parents’ or guardians’ income.

Your financial situation is not taken into account for cases about: • Mental health tribunals• Children in care• Child abduction

You may also have to provide evidence about your problem, for example in a children case by providing a court order or GP letter showing that you or your child have been a victim of abuse.

Please book your Free initial Consultation with us to discuss your case.

Will I be required to pay toward the cost of my case if I have legal aid?

Legal aid might not cover all the costs of your case. You may have to:• pay some of the costs upfront either by way of a lump sum or monthly contribution.• pay back some of the cost if you win money or property from your case.

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) will make a charge or claim – known as the ‘statutory charge’ – on any money or property you win in a claim relating to finances. If this is your home, payment can be deferred, and the debt placed as a charge on your home (similar to a mortgage).

Please book your Free initial Consultation with us to discuss your case.

What you need to bring to us for your legal aid application?

You will need to provide us with information about the following for both yourself and your partner:• Benefits - including benefits statements.• Income, savings and spending - including pay slips and bank statements for the last 3 months• National Insurance numbers• Other documents dependant on your individual circumstances, which we are able to advise you in relation to.

You will also need copies of evidence relating to your case, eg:• Court documents• Marriage and birth certificates (• Relevant letters

Please book your Free initial Consultation with us to discuss your case.