Legal Aid:

Evidence required to check eligibility for Legal help

If you are intending to rely on Legal Aid for help in your matter then we have to carry out an assessment at your first interview. In order to carry out this assessment we have to see certain documents, so it's very important that you bring these documents with you to the first meeting.

If you are in receipt of Benefits you must supply;

• A letter confirming what type of benefit you are receiving and this must be dated within the four weeks prior to your appointment. If you are receiving more then one type of benefit you must have evidence for all.

And

• Your bank and/or building society statements showing the entries for the four weeks prior to your appointment. If you have more than one account all statements must be supplied.

If you are working;

1. If you are paid monthly your last three wage slips or if you are paid weekly the last four weeks wage slips
2. Statements of all bank and/or building society accounts showing the entries for the four weeks prior to your appointment
3. Evidence of any other income you receive
4. If you are receiving child maintenance you must provide your CSA confirmation letter.
5. If you are receiving child benefit, child tax credit and/or working tax credit you must provide your notification letters.
6. If you are in receipt of your pension you must provide your evidence
7. You must also ensure that you bring photographic identification to your appointment such as a driving license or passport.

* If you are living with your partner, your partner’s evidence must also be supplied.

The Legal Services Commission (who look after Legal Aid) now require this evidence and we can’t start work on your case until we receive this. If you can't supply us with the evidence needed, then you will need to pay privately for our services.

Legal Aid is means and merits tested and only available for those who can’t afford it. For more information please see the Legal Services Commission website.

If you are not intending to apply for Legal Aid (i.e. you are going to pay our fees yourself) then this will not affect you.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact our Family Law Department and a member of the team will be happy to help. Email our here.