How do I qualify for Domestic Violence Legal Aid?

If you satisfy the means test (please see our How do I qualify for Legal Aid? – FAQ) and have been a victim, or your child has been a victim, of domestic abuse, you may be able to apply for Domestic Violence Legal Aid funding for some family matters.

You must be in a familial relationship with your abuser.

What constitutes a familial relationship?

• you are/have been married/in a civil partnership;
• you are closely related (father, other, child etc);
• you are/have been cohabitants;
• you have or had agreed to marry one another;
• you live/have lived in the same household as more than just their employee, tenant, lodger or boarder;
• you have/had an intimate personal relationship with one another which was significant in duration;
• in relation to a child, you are their parent/have parental responsibility and/or are party to the same family proceedings.

You must provide evidence of the abuse suffered. For examples of documents accepted, please see the government website or access any of the free resources listed below;

https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid - This is the Government website eligibility checker for Legal Aid. You can also put your postcode into this website and it will provide you with a list of Legal Aid practitioner firms in your area.

https://www.gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
Telephone: 0345 345 4 345
Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm
Saturday, 9am to 12:30pm
The Civil Legal Advice service.

https://resolution.org.uk/ - Professional advice for family problems in England and Wales, including divorce and separation, domestic abuse, money problems when divorcing/separating and child maintenance.

https://respectphoneline.org.uk/ - Confidential helpline for domestic violence perpetrators (male, female, in heterosexual or same-sex relationships) and information and advice to help stop violence and change abusive behaviours.
Helpline: 0808 802 4040
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-8pm
Email: info@respectphoneline.org.uk