If you have been arrested or have been interviewed by the police under caution, by law you are entitled to free legal advise and representation. If you are, thereafter, charged with an offence or required to appear before Court, you may be entitles to Free Legal Aid.
A Legal Aid providers either a law firm or a solicitor, will be able to asses if you are fully eligible for Legal Aid or a contribution to the cost of your legal representation.
In order to apply for Legal Aid, you must make an application to the Magistrate Court. The possible grounds for granting Legal Aids are:
- It is very likely that you will loose your liberty if any matter in the proceedings is decided against you. Loss of liberty does not just mean straightforward imprisonment, it may also include suspended custodial sentence or remands into custody.
- You have already received a sentence that is suspended or non-custodial.
- It is likely that I will lose my livelihood. In almost all cases the defendant will need to be in employment (or self employment) in order to argue that his livelihood will be lost.
To find a full list of all grounds and explanation for which Legal Aid maybe granted can be found here.
If the grounds for granting Legal Aid are justified, your financial situation will be taken into account to assess if you are required to make any contribution towards the cost of your defence.
If you are claiming certain benefits which include JSA, income support or a guaranteed pension then you will automatically pass this test and be eligible for Legal Aid. If you are not in receipt of these “passport benefits”, the level of your income has to be calculated and documented.
If you and/or your partner receive an income other than benefits which is £21,000 or more, then you will not be eligible for Legal Aid. Additionally, if you are single and your gross income per year is above £11,590 you will not be entitled to Legal Aid. Please note that if you earn between £11,590 and £21,000 it may be possible to make a claim taking some expenses into account.
Find Legal aid providers, either law firms or solicitors, in Luton:
Bedfords Solicitors
194 Dunstable Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU4 8JJ 57 Reviews on Google
M & K Solicitors Ltd
278 Dunstable Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU4 8JN 563 Reviews on Google
Solomon Solicitors
80 Dunstable Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1EH 64 Reviews on Google
Machins Solicitors LLP
28 Dunstable Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1DY 49 Reviews on Google
D F Noble Limited
26-28 Stuart Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2SW 12 Reviews on Google
Knowles Benning LLP
2 George Street West, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2BX 6 Reviews on Google
Chris Bennett & Co LLP
The Town House, 3 Park Terrace, Manor Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 3HN
Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd
Aw House, 6-8 Stuart Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2SJ 8 Reviews on Google
Harlington Law
10-12 Alma Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2PL 8 Reviews on Google
Healey Colbon
Ground Floor, Cannon Kirk House, 64-66 Stuart Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2SW 8 Reviews on Google
K Q Solicitors
Temple Chambers, 68-72 Stuart Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2SW 12 Reviews on Google
Luton Family Law
Suite 114, Crystal House, New Bedford Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1HS 19 Reviews on Google
Mb Solicitors
3 Cosgrove Way, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1XL 2 Reviews on Google
Mitchell Solicitors
Maxet House, Liverpool Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 1RS 2 Reviews on Google
Newgate Solicitors
6-8 Stuart Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2SJ 7 Reviews on Google
Sbs Solicitors Limited
Suite 5, Regency House, 85-87 George Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2AT 29 Reviews on Google
Woolfe & Co Solicitors Ltd
Britannia House, Leagrave Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU3 1RJ 10 Reviews on Google
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