Legal aid in Northern Ireland is run by the Legal Services Agency Northern Ireland (LSANI). This page is different from the scheme in the Republic.
Quick facts
- Apply
- Through a solicitor
- Advice and assistance
- You pay no more than £134
- Magistrates' Court civil cases
- You pay no more than £134
- Criminal legal aid
- Granted by the court
- Domestic abuse
- Help with protection orders
- If you win
- You may repay costs (Statutory Charge)
How to apply
All applications for legal aid should be made by a solicitor. If you don't have a solicitor, check the Law Society's list of solicitors, or contact your local Law Centre or independent advice centre. Bring your National Insurance number, details of your income and savings, bank statements, any benefit letters and your employer's name and address.
Legal advice and assistance
Legal advice and assistance allows you to get advice from a solicitor on any point of Northern Ireland law. It can cover personal injury, divorce, disputes over children, employment and housing, and the solicitor can write letters and negotiate for you. Depending on your financial circumstances, you may have to pay something towards your advice and assistance but this will be no more than £134.
Civil court cases
Representation in the Lower Courts pays for a solicitor in most civil cases in the Magistrates' Courts, such as separation, maintenance, children cases, non-molestation orders and paternity. Again, you may pay something, but no more than £134.
Most civil cases are heard in the Higher Courts like the County Court and High Court. There, the decision is made by the Legal Services Agency, and any payments can be paid over 12 months unless you have savings which means the cost is payable immediately in a lump sum. Exceptional Funding covers cases such as inquests that no other scheme covers.
Criminal legal aid
The Court has the power to grant free criminal legal aid and it is only available to a person charged with a criminal offence. The decision is based on your finances and on whether it is in the interest of justice. Your application for criminal legal aid must be made to the Court.
Victims of domestic abuse
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you may be able to get help with your legal costs to protect you and your children, including applying for a Non Molestation or Occupation Order. You may also get help if your abuser applies for your children to live with them or for contact. Depending on your income, your savings and any property you own, you may be entitled to have all your legal costs paid.
Refusals and paying back
If you are refused legal aid, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again. Sometimes if you win a case which was funded by legal aid, then you have to pay back the cost of your legal aid. This is called the Statutory Charge. If you owe the Legal Services Agency money, you can pay online, by Direct Debit, at a Post Office or PayPoint, or by phone on 028 9040 8888.
Common questions
Who decides if I get legal aid?
Your solicitor applies for you. For criminal cases, the court decides. For higher court civil cases and Exceptional Funding, the Legal Services Agency decides.
Do I have to pay anything?
It depends on your finances. For advice and assistance, and civil cases in the Magistrates' Courts, the most you pay is £134.