Legal Aid Criminal Litigation

What is Legal Aid?

The Legal Aid Agency helps meet the costs of legal advice and representation at Court. To qualify for Legal Aid, there is a criterion that needs to be met. This is evaluated by the means test which takes into account:

• Income
• Family circumstances, such as number of children
• Essential living costs, such as mortgage or rent

Applicants then must pass the Interests of Justice test. Applicants under 18 automatically pass the Interests of Justice test, as do applicants applying in relation to:

• Cases committed, sent or transferred to Crown Court for trial
• Voluntary bills of indictment
• Retrials
• Committals for Sentence

What does it cover?

• Representation in the Police Station (Free to everyone)
• Representation in the Magistrates Court
• Representation in the Crown Court