Legal Aid and Domestic Abuse

AFG LAW are committed to ensuring our community have access to justice and are proud to be a legal aid provider; we don’t believe that your financial situation should get in the way of being able to access legal advice and help if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

If you want to make an application for:

• a non-molestation order
• an occupation order
• a protective order under the Protection from Harassment Act
• a forced marriage protection order
• a female genital mutilation protection order

You may be able to access legal aid provided you are able to meet the ‘means’ and ‘merits’ tests. The ‘means’ test looks at your financial circumstances and will calculate whether your financial means are low enough for you to be entitled to access legal aid. The ‘merits’ test looks at your situation and why you want to apply for legal aid, what your chances of success are and whether the costs incurred are proportionate to the benefit you might receive by getting an order.

Sometimes, for cases of domestic abuse and forced marriage, you may be able to claim legal aid but your income is high enough that you would have to make a contribution towards your legal costs. It is important that you understand legal aid is not always ‘free’. Our solicitors can provide more information about your specific circumstances.

Legal aid is different depending on the type of case you want help and advice about. If you want to apply for legal aid for:

• Divorce
• Dissolution
• Arrangements for children
• Financial matters

You have to show you are a victim of domestic violence or abuse AND can meet the ‘means’ and ‘merits’ tests. There are specific criteria that you must meet and these are so complex we have produced guides about legal aid and how it applies to different areas of law.

Our family team can help you with a full range of legal services.