Legal Aid & the Courts Service
What is Legal Aid?
Legal Aid provides legal advice, support, and services to those who cannot afford to hire a solicitor privately. This includes Child Protection and Welfare cases.
Legal Aid is provided by the Legal Aid Board. They are an independent, statutory organisation who have been providing their services since 1979.
How do I apply for Legal Aid?
Applying for Legal Aid is a 3-step process.
You can use our Legal Aid Application Guide to help you with your application.
Eligibility
This means who qualifies for Legal Aid.
To find out who qualifies, a Means Test is used. This involves looking into a person’s financial situation.
To qualify for legal aid, an individual should not have a yearly disposable income exceeding 18,000euros and should not have disposable assets exceeding 100,000euros.
If you are unsure of your eligibility, you can use the Legal Aid Board’s online Indicator as a guide.
Application
To begin the application process, you will need the application form. This can be found on the Legal Aid Board website.
To fill out your application, you will need to have the following information at hand:
- The application form.
- A payslip/P60, social welfare receipt, or Notice of Assessment from Revenue/Audited Accounts. You can find your details of your income tax, PRSI, and USC payments here.
- Details of any other income you receive (e.g. maintenance payments)
- Details of your monthly mortgage/rent payments
- Approximate values of all of your capital assets, except the house you live in
- Values of any savings you may have
- Outstanding amounts on any loans/debts that you may have
Applications can be submitted online or posted as physical, printed copies.
Contribution
Generally, Legal Aid is not free. Payment is taken in the form of a contribution, however the amount you have to pay is also Means Tested based on your income.
In Civil Cases, when you first see a solicitor, you will have to pay an Advice Contribution – this can range from 30euro to 150euro. If Legal Aid represents you in court, you will need to pay an Aid Contribution – the starting sum for this is 130euro, and this can increase based on your income and assets.
In Childcare Cases, usually there is no contribution required.
Key Terms in the Application Process
Eligibility
Eligibility means who qualifies.
If you’re qualified for something or allowed to take part in it, you have eligibility.
Having a valid driver’s license means you have the eligibility to drive a car.
Means Test
A Means Test is used to determine if someone qualifies for certain supports.
This involves looking at a person’s sources of income to decide whether they need extra financial support and in what way.
Disposable Income
Disposable income is the money that is left after taxes.
It is the money that you can spend as you like.
Capital Assets
A capital asset is something you own that has a significant value – for example, house, car, or stocks.
Contribution
This is how Legal Aid is paid for.
In Civil Cases, when you first see a solicitor, you will have to pay an Advice Contribution. If Legal Aid represents you in court, you will need to pay an Aid Contribution.
Usually, Childcare Cases do not require a contribution.
How can I get in touch with Legal Aid?
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 066 947 1000
LoCall: 0818 615 200
Nationwide Law Centres (with the exception of Montague Court)
Get in touch
If you are a parent who’d like some support through childcare proceedings, freephone or email [email protected], the Parental Advocacy Service, delivered by Barnardos.
Our independent & confidential service is open to all parents of children in care.
1800 333 355.