How Can I Get Legal Aid for Employment Issues?

Author: Phoebe Lambert

Legal aid is financial assistance that the British government provides to people. This is the money that is given to cover the legal expenses. The government offers legal aid to only those who are unable to pay their legal dues. Legal aid covers the costs for the tribunal or court representation, family mediation, and legal advice. People who are applying for legal aid have to show that they deserve this financial assistance.

People can get legal aid for family problems, home crisis, criminal accusation, meditation, and discrimination issues. You can also get legal aid if you are trying to make a case or adding arguments under the “Human Rights Act.”

Legal Aid for Employment Issues

Employees with low incomes can get legal aid for employment issues. However, you can only receive legal aid if your employment issue comes under discrimination. You’ll also have to pass a merit and means tests to get financial help from the government. You can search employment solicitors near me on your own to represent yourself.

Requirements for Employment legal Aid

The merit test is about the successful predictions of your case. Whereas the means test decides whether or not you deserve the legal aid.

Your monthly gross income must not exceed £2,657 before tax. Whereas the monthly net income should not exceed £733 after housing, tax, and other costs. In case you have savings exceeding £8,000, you wouldn’t be entitled to legal aid. And if you’ve savings exceeding £3,000, you may have to contribute to your legal costs.

Benefits You’ll Get

In case you qualify for the legal aid and your issue is cover, you could get the following benefits.

  • A barrister or solicitor for your case who would represent you in tribunal or court
  • Legal help in case you have been accused of a crime.
  • Legal help for paperwork and negotiations
  • Legal advice for your options and rights
Paying Your Case Costs

Even if you receive legal aid, you may have to pay for some legal costs. These costs include:

  • Paying upfront cost
  • Paying some amount back after winning property or money

Usually, LAA (Legal Aid Agency) claims some amount with the ‘statutory charge.’ This is a charge that you’ve to pay after winning property or money. Payment can be delayed in case the property is your own home. Also, the charge can be turned into debt like a mortgage.

How to Claim Legal Aid

You can apply for legal aid through your family mediator or legal adviser. After going through your financial situation and case merit, the government will pay for your legal costs. You can also apply for emergency help in case you require an urgent representation. This is in case your rights need to saved and secured urgently.

In order to cover immediate actions, you may ask your legal adviser for Emergency Legal Representation. But you still have to apply in the normal way to get legal aid for an ongoing case.

Required Documents for Legal Aid

In case you want to get legal aid for employment issues, you’ll need the following documents.

  • National Insurance numbers
  • Benefits Statements
  • Incomes including spending and savings

In addition to these documents, you must also provide other necessary documents to your solicitor. You should also bring bank slips and payslips along with your income statements. Don’t forget to bring relevant evidence such as relevant letters and court documents.