Legal Aid

Legal Aid is a scheme designed to enable a person to have access to legal representation by an Advocate in Court proceedings. The purpose of legal aid is to provide funding to those whose means would not otherwise permit them to obtain the services of an Advocate.

Legal aid is only available to individuals.

Legal aid is not available to companies, businesses, clubs or firms.

The financial budgets for all aspects of Legal Aid (with the exception of cost assessments and the eligibility for Criminal Legal Aid both of which functions are currently within the General Registry), are provided by the Social Security Division of the Treasury.

Criminal matters are where a crime has allegedly been committed and is usually where a prosecution has been brought either by the Police or another appropriate authority.

Civil matters encompass most other matters which come before a court.