What is Civil Legal Aid

All applications received in Law Centres are assessed by the managing solicitor of the Law Centre for priority.

• In cases where legal advice services are sought in order to put in place an enduring power of attorney or advance healthcare directive, priority will always be given if there is any indication on the application form that there are health or capacity issues which might affect the applicant’s ability to put such an arrangement in place if it is not dealt with as a priority. Similarly so, in relation to decision making assistance agreements and co-decision making agreements.
• If the matter involves a capacity application or discharge from wardship application and there are court dates pending, the Law Centre will seek to give the matter priority taking into account also other matter such as court commitments and the other applications on the waiting list awaiting priority services.
• If there is a statutory deadline or other issue evident in the application form which makes it clear that a priority service might be necessary, this will be considered by the Law Centre.
• If the Law Centre cannot offer a priority appointment or service where it is required, the applicant will be granted an authority for advice from a private practitioner or will be granted a legal aid certificate for representation in court from a private practitioner.