funding A01

Question 1

The Legal Aid Agency

Answer 1

Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of offenders act 2012 set up the LAA
- responsible for legal aid

Question 2

Criminal Advice

Answer 2

• free advice in custody 24/7 for everyone

- usually over the phone but face to face if needed

Question 3

Criminal Representation

Answer 3

• after charge the defendant will want advice/ representation in court
• must pass the means and merits tests

Question 4

Means Test

Answer 4

• income and capital plus partners

- automatic if they’re a student or on benefits

Question 5

Merits Test (interests of justice test)

Answer 5

• severity
• possibility of jail
• important point of law
• vulnerable victim

Question 6

Civil Advice

Answer 6

civil legal advice - offer telephone advice

• lowest income
• only certain types of civil law
• debt, housing, abuse and discrimination

Question 7

Civil Representation

Answer 7

from a solicitor or barrister for only certain ares of law

• means tested
• immigration, harassment, mental health
• not personal injury

Question 8

Merit Test - Civil

Answer 8

• reason for the claim

- does it have a high chance of success

Question 9

Private

Answer 9

Own resources - pay privately at an hourly rate
Conditional Fee Agreement - no win no fee, win you pay the fees, success fee and cost of the other side
Citizens Advice Bureaux - free advice, consumer issues, debt, housing
Law Centres - free legal advice where there is lack of firms
Trade Unions - workers join, free legal advice, pay monthly
Insurance - vehicle and house cover
Charities - free legal advice in area of expertise
Bar Pro Bono - London Barrister volunteers