If you are a parent, or someone that holds parental responsibility for a child, and your children are involved in care proceedings for a care order or supervision order you will get legal aid automatically. You will also get legal aid automatically for emergency protection orders and child assessment orders. It does not matter what you earn or your chance of being successful, all parents get legal aid for care proceedings, emergency protection order proceedings and child assessment orders.
Legal aid is available for other ‘public law’ applications such as; secure accommodation orders, contact with a child in care, discharge of care orders, variation of supervision orders, adoption but it is means and merits tested. This means that the Legal Aid Agency will assess your income and your prospects of success. Legal aid is only available to those on a low income.
