Public Funding (Legal Aid)
At Kingsbury Ellis we believe that everyone should be entitled to the best representation possible. All of our lawyers are committed to publicly funded work and have remained so throughout their careers.
Legal aid public funding is available generally in some cases based on the seriousness of a case justifying the grant of public funding. If you have to go to court the test will also require you to have a means income test.
You can be granted legal aid without a contribution towards the cost of the case (low income) or with a contribution (higher income) if the case is sent to the crown court for trial.
If you are in receipt of income support, job seekers allowance, employment support or pension credit it is likely that you will still qualify for legal aid.
Even if you do not receive benefits, if you are on a low income you may still qualify. Whatever the position, we will be happy to advise you as to whether you are likely to be eligible for legal aid.
Our principle is to always provide an excellent service to our clients. Legal aid provides a reasonable service but our lawyers always try to go the extra mile. The time, costs and work undertaken has to be justified as this is public funding. We are permitted to incur such costs as necessary.
We can also attend the police station with you under the legal aid scheme. Attendances at the police station are non-income- tested.
This scheme does not extend to meetings with you prior to and after the Police Station attendance at a separate meeting, however, you can pay for this service on a private basis.
Some clients prefer a service whereby we discuss the case well in advance of the police station or court attendance with them in a private meeting. This can be arranged on a private fee basis. Please see our section on private fees for details and costs.