Need a solicitors & can't afford one HELP

Bosshugo111

Do solicitors still do legal aid or free half hour?

Need some complicated debt advice which this debt free laces online can't really help me with

CKhalvashi

Either post an SOA on here with any relevant info and we'll do our best (you may be surprised)

Or......It may be worth speaking to Stepchange or National Debtline. They are specialist charities in this area, and I've not yet come across a problem that they can't deal with.

Bosshugo111

Thanks
I might seem think but what's an SOA
Thanks

TBagpuss

Unfortunately legal aid has pretty much been abolished, except for a very small number of types of cases, such as domestic violence
A free half hour will normally give you general, rather than specific, advice.

If you live anywhere near a university it may be worth checking to see whether they provide a law centre or clinic.

Stepchange are very good.

An SOA is a Statement of Affairs - basically setting out your income, outgoings, total debt etc.

sourcrates

Bosshugo111 wrote: »

Do solicitors still do legal aid or free half hour?

Need some complicated debt advice which this debt free laces online can't really help me with

Hi,
Give us a bit more info, you may be surprised how learned some of us MSE`ers are !!!

StressedSteph

here's a link for the Statement of Affairs


http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php


Might be worth asking, you never know who is reading MSE xxx

Lensman_2

Is this the same problem that you have posted about in this thread?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4999118

If so, an SOA isn't relevant. Legal advice is.

matttye

Speak to the Citizen's Advice Bureau and ask about the solicitors free advice scheme.

I work for a firm of solicitors and we are part of this scheme.. it's where for one week at various times throughout the year, the CAB will direct people in need of advice to us and we will give them free advice for half an hour.

We would do that anyway, but we get more people coming in when the CAB directs them to us.

Most solicitors will give you free half an hour advice if they think you're going to become a private paying client, but some won't if they know there's no chance of getting any instructions from you. That's why I'm suggesting the CAB scheme, as any firm that is part of that scheme should give you free advice even if they understand you can't afford to pay.

Good luck!

[Deleted User]

Are you in a Union?

If so, you might be able to get legal advice through them.

Kimberley

TBagpuss wrote: »

Unfortunately legal aid has pretty much been abolished, except for a very small number of types of cases, such as domestic violence
.

Or prisoners doing appeals or claiming compensation or those like Abu Hamza still get it

matttye

Kimberley wrote: »

Or prisoners doing appeals or claiming compensation or those like Abu Hamza still get it

If you were wrongly convicted, or you committed a crime with no aggravating features but the judge/magistrates gave you the harshest possible sentence, wouldnt you want to appeal?

Legal aid for criminal proceedings is absolutely vital, although it's facing massive cuts ATM. There was a recent 8.75% cut to all fees and another 8.75% cut next year. A lot of providers will be closing down as it's going to be difficult to make a profit.