LEGAL AID
Legal Aid for Family Law
Free Legal Help | Eligibility Guide | Updated 2025
Since the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), legal aid for most private family law cases was removed. Legal aid is now mainly available for cases involving domestic abuse, child protection, or mediation.
Financial Eligibility
| Criteria | Threshold | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gross monthly income | £2,657 or less | Before tax and NI |
| Disposable monthly income | £733 or less | After allowances |
| Disposable capital | £8,000 or less | Savings, assets (excluding home equity up to £100,000) |
If you receive certain means-tested benefits, you automatically pass the financial test.
Universal Credit
Income Support
Income-based JSA
Income-related ESA
Guarantee Credit (Pension Credit)
What's Covered?
Domestic abuse cases
Private family law with evidence of abuse
Child protection proceedings
When children may be taken into care
Mediation
Family mediation and MIAM
Forced marriage protection
Including FGM protection orders
Standard divorce proceedings
Divorce itself not covered since 2013
General financial matters
Most financial remedy cases not covered
Standard child arrangements
Unless domestic abuse evidence
Domestic Abuse Evidence
To access legal aid in private family cases, you need evidence of domestic abuse. Accepted evidence includes:
Police caution or conviction for domestic abuse
Relevant court order (non-molestation, occupation)
MARAC referral
Evidence from domestic abuse service
Evidence from health professional
Evidence from social services
Police DV incident number
Most evidence must be dated within 5 years of your application. Some evidence types have no time limit (e.g., convictions).
Alternatives to Legal Aid
Litigant in Person
Represent yourself with tools like Splitifi to help organise documents and understand the process.
Fixed Fee Services
Some solicitors offer fixed fee services for specific tasks like drafting consent orders.
Pro Bono Services
Some organisations offer free legal advice including law centres and Citizens Advice.
Navigate Without Legal Aid
Affordable tools and guidance for UK divorce.