Legal Aid
The Legal Services Commission is responsible for Community Legal Advice (civil) and Criminal Defence Service (criminal) legal aid schemes.
The Commission helps people get the quality advice they need to tackle the problems they face and seeks to help make the justice system fair, accessible and affordable to all. It brings together legal aid solicitors, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Law Centres, local authority services and other organisations in local networks to ensure that people can get information and advice about their legal rights and help with enforcing them.
Community Legal Advice has its own website which can provide you with a wealth of information about legal aid for civil cases, and features a Legal Aid Calculator that allows you to find out if you could be eligible for legal aid.
Mediation
In mediation, a neutral and independent third party helps people in dispute to reach a voluntary resolution agreed by both sides. The mediator does not make decisions or impose a settlement.
More information is available in the CLS website's Mediation section.
Free services (including 'Pro Bono')
Some lawyers and other advisers across England and Wales provide cheaper legal advice and assistance to people who aren't eligible for legal aid but can't afford legal fees either. For example, Law Centres and the Citizens Advice Bureau can often provide free legal help.
Information on 'pro bono' legal help can be found on the following external websites:
- Bar Pro Bono Unit (barristers)
- Solicitors Pro Bono Group
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