Legal Aid is a scheme that helps you pay for your legal fees. Not everyone qualifies for the legal aid funding as certain requirements must be complied with first. You must satisfy a two-stage test:
The first stage – domestic abuse
To satisfy the first stage of the test you must provide evidence that you are a victim of domestic abuse and that the perpetrator of that abuse is your current opponent. The acceptable evidence includes but it not limited to: police caution, ongoing criminal proceedings, a relevant conviction for a domestic abuse offence, protective injunction, Undertaking, findings in a Finding of Fact Hearing, letter from an appropriate health professional or domestic abuse agency.
The second stage – financial means
If the first stage of the test is satisfied, the Legal Aid Agency will assess your financial circumstances. If you are in receipt of certain benefits (for example Universal Credit) they may help you qualify for the legal aid funding.
