What is Legal Aid?
Legal Aid is funding that covers legal costs and is available to parents, and those with parental responsibility, for a child who is involved in care proceedings. Depending on which level of involvement you have with social services, there are different levels of legal help available to you. Find out what legal help or legal aid you can claim:
PLO (Pre-Proceedings) Meeting and Care Proceedings in Court
This Legal Aid is available regardless of a parent’s financial means and without any contribution payable.
Legal Aid is sometimes available to other persons involved in Care Proceedings, such as other family members or carers and those who have been invited to intervene in the care proceedings to defend against allegations made. This Legal Aid is usually subject to a financial means and merits test.
Social Services Investigations and Child Protection Conferences
Legal Help is provided by the Legal Aid Agency in some circumstances, subject to a means test. We are happy to have an initial discussion with you free of charge to discuss how we may able to help.
Domestic Abuse
Legal Aid is available for domestic abuse injunctions. It is also available in some private children matters where there is evidence of domestic abuse.
Why choose Banner Jones Family Law Solicitors?
Several of our care solicitors are on the Law Society's Children Panel. Only solicitors who meet the Law Society’s exacting accreditation requirements are permitted to join the Children Panel and represent children in public law care proceedings.
Our experts in public law care proceedings can provide you with support and guidance throughout the care proceeding's process. We are specialists in cases involving non-accidental injury and child neglect.