Legal Aid is the name for a Government scheme where some or all of your legal fees are paid if you meet certain criteria.

Understanding Legal Aid for Family Law Cases…

Legal Aid can provide vital financial support for those who qualify, but it's important to understand that Legal Aid is not always free legal advice. If you win or retain money or property as a result of your case, or if your financial circumstances change, you may be required to repay some or all of your legal costs.

Since changes in the law, most family law cases are no longer covered by Legal Aid unless:

• You can provide evidence of domestic violence against you, or

• A child involved is at risk of harm

For full details about the type of evidence required, we recommend visiting the Ministry of Justice website or contacting the Community Legal Advice Service.

However, Legal Aid is still available in many cases involving:

• Domestic violence

• Care proceedings where children may be taken into care

We understand that discovering you're not eligible for Legal Aid can be distressing. If you don’t qualify, our family law solicitors in Gravesend can offer fixed-fee packages for certain types of cases — please visit our Costs page for more information.

You may also be eligible for a newer service under the Legal Aid scheme, called Help with Mediation, even if there is no evidence of domestic abuse. We can advise you on how to apply and what support is available.

If you do qualify for Legal Help or Legal Aid, we can:

• Offer advice and guidance on your legal rights

• Represent you in family court

• Include the cost of your initial consultation under the Legal Aid scheme

All Legal Aid work is funded by the Legal Aid Agency, and our experienced team is here to help you through the application process and beyond.

Wheelchair access is available at our Chatham office. Please let us know when booking the appointment if you would like to see us in our wheelchair accessible meeting room.