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This online calculator will let you work out if you are likely to qualify financially for civil legal aid.
If you are unsure of what to include at any question, please read the 
help information.
About your household situation
Tell us about your situation and any dependants living with you - this is a child or person who has no income of their own. This will let us automatically work out the allowances you are entitled to.
Do you qualify financially automatically?
Please tick the box below if you receive any of these benefits.
If Yes, tick the box.
If No, go to step 3.
If you receive these benefits, you qualify automatically on both income and capital for civil legal aid. You will not have to pay a contribution towards the cost of your case.
If you do not receive these benefits, tell us about your income
Work out what you expect your total income (before tax) to be in
the next year - this is your gross income. Then tell us your expenses. If you are not sure what to include, read the help information.Please enter 0 if you do not receive an income or have expenses.
The calculator will work out your allowances from what you told us at step 1. It will also work out your total disposable income when you press Calculate at step 5.
Now tell us about your capital
(savings and anything else of value that you own).
Add up all your capital and that of your partner (unless we do not have to consider their resources - see the help information for step 1).
(If you are a pensioner, and your capital is more than £13,017 you may still qualify: speak to your solicitor about this.)
Do you qualify?
Press the calculate button to see if you qualify for civil legal aid, and information on any contribution you may have to pay.
Please complete the form above to find out whether you qualify for civil legal aid.
What next?
To find out more about your results and how these calculations are made, read our FAQs on civil legal aid on topics such as paying towards the cost of civil legal aid.
Even if you qualify financially for legal aid, you will still have to meet other tests, such as having a legal basis for your case. We will decide if you meet these tests and qualify. You must apply for legal aid through a solicitor.
If you do not yet have a solicitor, try our easy to use find my nearest legal aid solicitor search service.
You can read more civil legal aid in our information - A guide to civil legal aid.
The eligibility information included above applies from 6 April 2011.
The Scottish Legal Aid Board can provide funding for legal advice for people who qualify. This may be free, or you may have to pay towards the cost of your case.
Civil legal aid helps pay for a solicitor to put your case in court. It covers preparation work, as well as the hearing itself, and can provide funding for advocates, experts, etc. (Most cases begin with advice and assistance, and civil legal aid may be the next step if necessary.)
Remember that this calculator will only help you to find out about qualifying financially for civil legal aid. You will also have to meet other tests relating to your case before you can be granted civil legal aid, and these are explained in more detail in the Board’s leaflet, A guide to civil legal aid
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