Legal Help for Civil / Family Matters
If you have a legal problem but can’t afford a lawyer, you may be able to get one through civil / family legal aid. If you’re granted legal aid, it will cover all your lawyer’s fees and all other fees and expenses of your court case. You may have to repay some or all of your legal aid. Back to Legal Aid Guide home page
Domestic Violence and Legal Aid
Can I get legal aid if I apply for an order under the Domestic Violence Act 1995?
Yes. Your lawyer will help you with your legal aid application. You can also get help from women’s refuges and community law centres.
Repayments: Special exemptions in domestic violence cases
If you’re applying for an order under the Domestic Violence Act 1995, it’s unlikely you’ll have to repay any of your legal aid.
But that applies only to the domestic violence part of your case. If, for example, you’ve also applied for day-to-day care of your children at the same time, you may have to repay some or all of the cost of that part of your case.
The exemption from repayments applies only if you are the person applying for the domestic violence order, not if you’re the person the application is made against (the "respondent").
Of course, you’ll also have to qualify for legal aid in the usual way, including meeting the financial means test. Use the financial self-assessment table to give you an idea of whether you may be eligible.
