We know that every client has different financial circumstances and we will do everything we can to ensure that you receive the best value legal advice possible, with no compromise on quality.

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Funding falls into two areas:

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• Legal Aid

• Privately funded cases 

 

 

Legal aid

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We have a contract with the Legal Aid Agency to provide a legal advice and representation service to clients in community care (including Court of Protection cases and those otherwise involving disputes about mental capacity and care and welfare services, and judicial review). This is for initial advice and also, where necessary, for representation in Court proceedings.

 

Where representation is needed in Court we advise clients every step of the way.

 

Legal aid is based on two tests – your means (finances) and merits (the strength of the case). We have to make sure that you are entitled to legal aid and meet both tests before we can confirm that we can help you with your case. The legal aid rules have changed significantly since 2013 and many people who were previously entitled to have help with paying for their legal costs will no longer be able to access legal aid for their cases. The rules are much more complicated than previously so please be patient while we ask questions to see if you are entitled to legal aid. We will need information about your case as well as your finances.

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You can use the Legal Aid Agency’s eligibility calculator to see if you might be entitled to legal aid  but do ask us if you are unsure or have any questions and we can check for you. There are special rules for people over the age of 60 and other disregards and allowances, so do ask us about this.

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What we will need to know about your finances (and those of anyone you live with):

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• Which benefits you are claiming

• Details of all your income from other sources

• The amount of any capital (such as savings, property etc.) which you have

 

We will ask you more questions and are likely to ask you for letters from the benefits agency, bank statements etc. so that we can show the Legal Aid Agency that you are financially entitled to legal aid. If you are entitled to legal aid you may still need to make a contribution to your legal costs but usually otherwise you will not have to pay for your legal fees.

 

 

Privately funded cases

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If you are not entitled to legal aid for your case, we can advise and represent you privately. Please speak with your solicitor about our charging rates and how your case can be funded.  Our rates depend on a variety of factors.

 

Sometimes clients have household (contents) insurance which can cover some or all of their legal costs. Please check your insurance policy carefully and discuss this with one of our advisors to see if this may be an option.

 

We will be upfront and transparent about our charges. It can often be difficult to predict the costs of a case from the start, particularly in complex cases, but we will always discuss this with you and keep you updated about the costs.