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Free legal advice and legal aid in London

· By London Solicitors Guide
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Legal aid can pay for help with some legal problems, but only if you pass its checks. If you cannot get it, free advice is still available from the Law Centres Network, Citizens Advice and AdviceNow. This guide explains what legal aid might cover, how the checks work and where to turn next.

The short answer

Legal aid might cover some serious problems, but it does not cover everything. Eligibility generally depends on two financial checks, which are your income and your assets. Because both checks apply, a serious problem alone does not guarantee help with the cost.

If you cannot get legal aid, you still have options. GOV.UK points to free advice from the Law Centres Network, Citizens Advice and AdviceNow. If you are searching for legal aid solicitors London wide, the legal aid adviser search described below is the place to begin. Our practice areas page also shows the kinds of problem the guide covers.

GOV.UK says legal aid might cover problems such as homelessness, eviction or serious disrepair. It might also cover domestic abuse or forced marriage, and a child at risk of being taken into care. Family mediation, discrimination and asylum appear on the same list. Because the word “might” matters, treat this as a guide rather than a promise.

Some problems fall outside legal aid. GOV.UK says you cannot get it for debt problems, unless you might lose your home. You cannot get it for employment disputes, unless you are being discriminated against. You also cannot get it for appealing benefits decisions, with limited exceptions.

Even where legal aid applies, it may not pay for everything. GOV.UK says legal aid might not cover all the costs of your case. However, the section on paying something back explains this in more detail.

The income and savings checks

Two financial checks decide most cases. The first looks at your income, and the second looks at your assets, meaning savings, investments and property. GOV.UK says receiving a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit can also satisfy the income test.

GOV.UK states the monthly income limit for civil legal aid as £2,657 or less before tax and other deductions. We read that figure on 2026-11-11. Limits change, so check the GOV.UK page for the current figure rather than relying on a number copied here.

For savings, GOV.UK says combined savings and assets over £8,000 generally rule you out of legal aid. It also says any equity in your home over £100,000 is treated as an asset. Therefore, a home can affect the result even if you have little in the bank.

GOV.UK also offers a “Check if you can get legal aid” service. It asks about your legal problem, income and savings. However, it then tells you whether to speak to someone for phone advice.

Otherwise, it shows you how to find a legal adviser or mediator near you. The page also lists the Civil Legal Advice helpline. Use it as another way to check eligibility, and ask what hours it runs.

Cases with no financial test

Some cases skip the money checks altogether. GOV.UK gives examples: children in care proceedings, mental health tribunals and cross-border child abduction. In addition, higher earners may still qualify in domestic abuse or forced marriage cases.

These are exceptions, so do not assume your own case belongs here. Instead, use the GOV.UK checker and see what it says about your problem.

If you cannot get legal aid, GOV.UK points to free advice from the Law Centres Network, Citizens Advice and AdviceNow. Each is a place to ask questions before you spend any money.

The Law Centres Network says Law Centres help people in poverty overcome legal problems. It lists all Law Centres across the UK on one page, so you can look for one that suits you. Citizens Advice and AdviceNow are the other two routes GOV.UK names.

If you want a legal aid adviser, GOV.UK links to a “Find a legal aid adviser or family mediator” service. It finds legal aid advisers in England and Wales by postcode. They ask about your problem and your finances to work out whether you can get legal aid. Remember that a legal adviser applies for legal aid for you, because you cannot apply on your own.

Some people decide to act without a lawyer. If that is you, our guide to representing yourself in court may help you think it through. If you are unhappy with a solicitor you already have, read our guide on how to complain about a solicitor.

Paying something back

Legal aid is not always free of cost. GOV.UK says it might not cover all the costs of your case, so you may need to pay some costs upfront. You may also need to repay part of them if you win money or property in the case.

Therefore, ask your adviser early what you might have to pay and when. A written answer helps, since you can refer back to it later. Before you instruct any adviser, use our check-a-solicitor guide to confirm the firm is regulated.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get free legal advice in London?
Yes, you can often get it. GOV.UK points to free advice from the Law Centres Network, Citizens Advice and AdviceNow if you cannot get legal aid. The Law Centres Network says Law Centres help people in poverty overcome legal problems, and it lists every Law Centre in the UK on one page.
Who can get legal aid?
Eligibility generally depends on two financial checks, income and assets. GOV.UK states the monthly income limit for civil legal aid as £2,657 or less before tax and other deductions, as read on 2026-11-11. Receiving a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit can also satisfy the income test. Limits change, so check the GOV.UK page.
How do I find a legal aid adviser?
Use the "Find a legal aid adviser or family mediator" service linked from GOV.UK. It finds legal aid advisers in England and Wales by postcode. The adviser asks about your problem and finances to work out whether you can get legal aid. You cannot apply on your own, because a legal adviser applies for you.

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