Chapter 9 Key facts checklists

Funding Access to the English Legal System
  • Funding legal services may be provided publicly (i.e. by the state) or privately (i.e. by the individual).
  • Legal aid, meaning state-funded assistance in legal matters, is available in both criminal and civil cases but is restricted to narrow circumstances and types of cases.
  • Where legal aid is not available and the individual cannot privately fund their case, pro bono institutions may be available to provide advice.
  • The availability of legal aid depends on several tests set by the government.
Back to top