Legal Aid Available

Police Station

If you are required to attend for an interview under caution at a Police Station, then Kellocks are able to offer you free representation 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

This service is available in Lancashire and the North West. Should you require representation further afield then please contact us and in certain circumstances, free representation may still be available as Kellocks is a contracted supplier to the Legal Aid Agency.

Magistrates Court

Legal Aid at the Magistrates Court is subject to a two stage test. Firstly whether or not it is in the “interests of justice” for Legal Aid to be granted. That may be because you are at risk of losing your liberty, damage to your reputation, your inability to understand the proceedings or the need to cross-examine a witness. Generally speaking, the more serious the allegation, the more likely it is that the “interests of justice” test would be passed.

Legal Aid at the Magistrates Court is also subject to a means test. If you are in receipt of certain state benefits then you will automatically pass the means test. This includes income support, income based job seekers allowance, and income based ESA or a guaranteed state pension credit. You will also satisfy the means test if you are under 16 years of age or under 18 years of age and in full time education.

If your income is less than £12,007.00 you automatically qualify financially but if your “adjusted” income is over £21,487.00 you will not qualify for Legal Aid in the Magistrates Court. Your “adjusted” income would depend on the cost of your accommodation and the number of dependants living with you.

If Legal Aid is granted at the Magistrates Court then we can represent you at no cost to yourself, Criminal Legal Aid is not like a loan and you would never have anything to pay.

Crown Court

If you received Legal Aid at the Magistrates Court then you would automatically be entitled to Legal Aid at the Crown Court. Additional questions about your finances may be asked though and in certain circumstances a contribution would also be payable by you.

Applicants with a household disposable income of £37,500.00 or more are not eligible for Legal Aid for a Crown Court trial.

Should you have any doubts about your Legal Aid eligibility at Court, please do not hesitate to contact us and we can guide you through this process at no cost to yourself.