Information for applicants leaflet

This leaflet answers the questions:

• What is civil legal assistance?
• Which type of civil legal assistance do I need?
• How do I find a solicitor who is registered to give me civil legal assistance?

Advice and assistance

• How do I qualify financially for advice and assistance?
• What to take when you see a solicitor for advice and assistance
• What happens if I am refused advice and assistance?

Civil legal aid

• What will legal aid cover?
• How do I qualify for legal aid?
• What forms do I have to fill in about financial eligibility?
• What if I need work to be done urgently?
• Will the opponent in my case know I have applied for legal aid?
• What happens if I am refused legal aid?
• If I am refused legal aid, can I apply again?
• If I do not qualify for advice and assistance or civil legal aid, how can I get free advice?

What might I have to pay?

• Is civil legal assistance free?
• What happens if I lose the case?
• What are contributions?
• What if I have difficulty paying?
• What if I don’t pay my contribution, miss payments or change my mind?
• What is property won or kept and “clawback”?
• Will you take all the money or property I win or keep?

What are my responsibilities?

• How should I run my civil legal aid case?
• What will happen if I don’t tell you about changes?
• What if my circumstances change after I complete the civil legal aid financial form or after you grant legal aid?
• For how long do I have to tell you about these changes?
• What are the type of changes you need to know about?
• What will happen when I tell you about changes?

Can I change solicitor?

Can SLAB withdraw legal aid?

What if my solicitor suggests working privately for me or charging me while I have legal aid?

What can I expect from the Scottish Legal Aid Board?

• How will you use the information I give you?

What can I expect from my solicitor?

• What if I am unhappy with how you or my solicitor has acted?