CRIMINAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Legal aid allows people who would not otherwise be able to afford it to get help for their legal problems. The Scottish Legal Aid Board can provide funding to help people who qualify to get legal advice and “representation” (where a solicitor puts their case in court).

• Advice and assistance helps to pay for advice from a solicitor on any matter of Scots law. (For example, to try to settle a dispute without going to court.) In some special circumstances, it may also cover their solicitor representing them in court – this is called ABWOR – “assistance by way of representation”. Depending on the applicant's financial circumstances, they may have to pay towards their advice and assistance. Advice and assistance covers a wide range of matters, so long as they are matters of Scots law and the applicant qualifies financially.
  
  
• Criminal legal aid pays for someone to get legal advice and representation in criminal court proceedings. In some circumstances, criminal legal aid may automatically be available immediately and without having to make an application. This may be through the duty solicitor.

Read more in our leaflets which are available in pdf format:

• Our leaflet number 3 tells you about Criminal legal assistance if you are in custody
  
  
• Our leaflet number 4 tells you about Criminal legal assistance if you are NOT in custody

• For people applying for criminal advice and assistance:
• Before you can be given advice and assistance you will have to provide details of money and property you own:
  • Read our leaflet Do I qualify financially for advice and assistance in criminal or children's cases? The leaflet includes the financial eligibility limits from 7 April 2008 and explains what you may have to pay.
    
    
  • or you can use our calculator to see if you may qualify financially.
    
    
  • Use our find my nearest legal aid solicitor if you wish to search for a solicitor.
    
    
    
• Our service standards tell you the level of service you can expect from us, including how long it will take us to do things. If you are unhappy with our services, read our leaflet on Complaints and comments about the Scottish Legal Aid Board.