access to justice and funding in civil law

Cards (7)

Sources of legal advice: Help lines
Civil Legal Aid is a government funded scheme for providing advice and it is possible to get telephone help for issues such as;
debt if home is at risk
domestic abuse
family issues
Sources of legal advice: Citizens Advice Bureaux
set up in 1939 and they give free general advice to anyone.
can provide information on which local solicitors do legal aid work or give cheap or free initial interviews
main areas they help with are entitlement to benefits, debt problems, employment issues.
Sources of legal advice: Law centres
offer free non means tested legal service to people in the area.
normally in area with few solicitors and clients are usually disadvantaged.
Sources of legal advice: Trade Unions
offer members free legal advice for work related problems.
sometimes for non work related issues too
Sources of legal advice: Schemes run by lawyers
some offer a free half an hour first interview, Local CABx have a list of solicitors who offer this
Bar Pro Bono Unit- volunteer barristers staff this, it is in London and gives free advice to those who cant afford it or don't get legal aid.
private funding of cases;
own resources
insurance
conditional fee agreements, no win no fee.
Public funding in civil cases:
availability of legal aid -since 2013 it isnt allowed for civil law but there is a means test which considers income and capital of the individual.
people receiving Income support or income based job seekers allowance automatically qualify