What to take to your solicitor appointment

Check with the solicitor before your appointment so you know exactly what to take with you.

In your application for legal aid, we need to see evidence of your income and capital.

We also need to see information about your main outgoings, such as payment towards loans or payments for childcare.

You may need to take along information about the following for both yourself and your partner (unless you're separated or they are the person you have a legal problem with):

• Your most recent bank statements showing your income and capital or savings.
• Recent wage slips, or accounts if you're self-employed.
• Pension payment advice from an ex-employer or your pension or benefit book.
• Current benefit award letters or notifications.
• Details of all savings or accounts – bank/building society/post office statement or passbooks.

If you’ve been charged by the police you should also take any paperwork that the police, courts or procurator fiscal have given to you.

If you are in custody your legal aid solicitor will tell you what you need to do to show what your financial situation is.