legal aid family law

idnkph

Hi just wondering about this. I'm summoned to court next week for family law matters and have no time to go through the legal aid system. Can I ask a solicitor to ask the judge for this on the day if I get one now myself?

Pat Mustard

The court can deal with applications for criminal legal aid.

Civil legal aid applications are not dealt with by the courts. You would need to apply to the Legal Aid Board if you are looking for civil legal aid.

It is not clear whether the court date next week is a hearing date or just a return date and it is not clear whether it might be possible for matters to be put back pending an application for legal aid.

You could contact the Legal Aid Board or you could contact a private solicitor, if you want to pay privately. However, if you are not in a position to pay a private solicitor and if you think that you might qualify for legal aid, it might be worth getting a list of the private practitioners on the Legal Aid Board District Court panel (if this is a District Court matter). The Legal Aid Board can give the list to you. If you get that list, you could select one of the solicitors on the list, make contact and ask all of the relevant questions.

Niall Keane

Apply for legal aid! There's a process of means assessment etc. The court might wait depending on the matter. Do this immediately, bring a letter from legal aid stating your are in process of seeking such. as they say it "behooves" you to have professional representation!