Find and engage an Advocate

Find an Advocate

The Legal Aid Panel of Advocates contains all Advocates who are prepared to act for someone under the Legal Aid scheme. You should contact an Advocate on the list making it clear you are seeking advice under the Legal Aid scheme.

The Legal Aid Office does not have the power to make an Advocate take on your case.

If you experience difficulties getting an Advocate to represent you please contact the Isle of Man Law Society  on +44 1624 662910 who may be able to assist.

Changing Advocate during proceedings

There is nothing to prevent you from changing Advocates, but before this can happen the transfer has to be approved by the Legal Aid Certifying Officer (LACO). This is because any transfer will lead to additional costs being incurred under the certificate. In order to consider whether it is reasonable to transfer the legal aid certificate from one Advocate to another, the LACO will seek a report from your Advocate (ie. the Advocate who has had conduct of the case to date). The LACO will then consider your application to change Advocates and we will advise you of the outcome. 

Advocate costs

The hourly rates payable to an Advocate for work done under a legal aid certificate are prescribed within the prevailing Legal Aid Order and are set by the Treasury. These rates apply to criminal and civil legal aid work.

Once your legal aid funding has concluded the Advocate will submit a bill of costs to the Legal Aid Office for assessment. A Costs Officer will conduct a review of the work done and will certify an amount to be paid.