Legal Aid
Does JNP Legal offer legal aid services?
Our offices at Merthyr Tydfil and Nelson offer legal aid. Depending on the type of matter, you will either be eligible for non means and non-merits tested legal aid, or you will have to show that you earn below a certain amount in order to qualify and in some cases, that you fit into certain merit criteria. We recommend speaking with one of our team, who can advise you on whether you are eligible.
How can I apply for legal aid?
Legal aid can only be applied for by a solicitor. If you qualify for non means and non-merit tested legal aid then you do not need to provide any evidence, for example if you are a Respondent in Care Proceedings. If you are subject to means or merit tested legal aid then you usually need to provide copies of all bank statements for all accounts that you hold, spanning the last 3 months. You may also be required to provide proof of your income and provide copies of any wage slips. If you are subject to merits tested legal aid, then please contact our team who can advise whether you fit the merits criteria.
What costs does legal aid cover?
Legal aid can cover your representation costs, that is the costs for a solicitor and a barrister to advise you and to represent you at Court. Sometimes you will get legal aid for the full duration of the proceedings, and sometimes it will only cover you up to a certain hearing. Please contact our team for further information to see which one your case falls into. You do however get automatic legal aid at the police station regardless of what your income is.
What is the maximum income to qualify for legal aid in the UK?
In order to qualify for legal aid in family matters where it is means and merits tested, you need to earn less than £733 disposable income a month (this is after your bills, and only certain ones are included, such as rent) and have less than £8,000 in assets and savings.
In criminal matters, you will not be eligible if your disposable income per year is more than £37,500. If your income is less than this, then depending on the level of income and which court is dealing with your case you may qualify for legal aid which covers all your legal costs, or legal aid where you have to pay a monthly contribution towards your legal fees.
The table below sets out the different thresholds:
| Adjusted income | Magistrates’ court | Committal for sentence | Appeal to the Crown Court | Crown court trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £12,475 or less | funded | funded | funded | funded, no income contribution |
| More than £12,475, less than £22,325 | depends on full means test | depends on full means test | possible fee, depends on full means test and outcome of appeal | possible income contribution, depends on full means test |
| £22,325 or more | not funded | not funded | depends on full means test and outcome of appeal | possibly not funded* or possible income contribution, depends on full means test |
How long does it take for legal aid to be approved?
The timescales as of November 2024 are between 7-10 working days unless it’s an emergency.