LEGAL AID FOR FAMILY LAW CASES

The Specialist Quality Mark (SQM)

Ayres Waters has a contract with the Legal Aid Agency enabling us to provide advice and assistance in relation to family cases.

Legal Aid firms are subject to regular reviews and audits to ensure the quality of the services offered to clients.

We work with the Legal Aid Agency to enable eligible clients to obtain public funding for the cases described below. As such we require certain documents to first assess whether a client qualifies in respect of “scope” and then “means and merits”. Should you be eligible for legal aid we would then make an application to the Legal Aid Agency, who will assess your application.

 

Public Law/Care proceedings

You will qualify automatically for legal aid if you are a parent or hold parental responsibility for the child concerned, and where you are involved with Children’s Services at PLO level, or where proceedings have been issued for a care or supervision order in respect of your child/children.  In such a case, legal aid is not means assessed and you will qualify automatically. Please contact us to arrange an appointment.

 

Domestic Abuse and Child Arrangements

Eligibility in these cases is means and merits assessed. We can discuss this with you in detail, but please be aware that we will probably need the following documents from you:

• Bank statements (covering the last three months in child cases, one month for domestic abuse)
• Three-months’ wage slips, where you are employed
• Proof of all state benefits that you receive
• A copy of your mortgage statement or tenancy agreement
• Documentary evidence in respect of any child safeguarding issues, or that shows that you are a victim of domestic abuse

Please contact our offices and speak to a member of our staff, who will be happy to assist you.