Legal Aid

If you cannot afford legal advice or an advocate to represent you in Court, you may be able to get Legal Aid.

• Legal Aid is only available to individuals
• Legal Aid is not available to companies, businesses, clubs or firms
• Legal Aid is only available for cases which are being processed in the Isle of Man and are subject to Manx Law

There is no residency qualification, so Legal Aid on the Isle of Man can be granted to someone who lives in another jurisdiction. 

Whether you qualify or not depends on your financial position, and whether you have good cause to pursue your case. An Advocate can advise you about what sort of help is available.

Civil Legal Aid availability

Civil Legal Aid is available for most proceedings in the Isle of Man High Court including:

• Personal injury
• Medical negligence
• Possession and family matters
• Domestic proceedings (in the Summary Courts)

It is also available for some other proceedings such as:

• Inquests
• Mental Health Review Tribunals
• Advocates Disciplinary Tribunals
• Data Protection Tribunals

ALL applications for civil Legal Aid must be submitted to the Legal Aid Office through an Isle of Man Advocate, so the first thing you must do is approach an Advocate. If you do not have an advocate for a civil matter, please view the approved panel of Advocates.

Legal Aid for Criminal Matters is designed to financially assist people who have been charged with a criminal offence and are unable to afford the services of an Advocate. This is usually when a prosecution has been brought by either the Police or another appropriate authority.