In some circumstances you may be able to obtain funding for your case from the Legal Aid Commission. Arnold Lawyers is more than happy to assist you obtain this funding.
Not everyone is eligible to obtain Legal Aid funding – there are three tests which are generally applied by the Legal Aid Commission to determine whether you are eligible to obtain funding:
- Jurisdiction Test This test looks at the type of matter in which Legal Aid is sought. Legal Aid is not available in all types of legal matters. Generally Legal Aid is available in Family Law, Criminal Law and some Civil Law matters.
- Means Test This test takes into account your income and assets (and that of any financially associated persons, such as your partner) to ascertain whether you are entitled to receive Legal Aid.
- Merit Test The Commission considers whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to grant Legal Aid. In making this determination, the Commission takes into account several factors, such as your reasonable prospects of success with your legal matter.
Arnold Lawyers has vast experience in dealing with the Legal Aid Commission and applying for funding in various matters. If you wish to apply for a Grant of Legal Aid to fund you legal matter, feel free to contact our office to discuss your options. We can then send you out an Application Form for your completion. Please note however that this funding is not available if you are merely seeking advice in respect to a legal matter.
The Legal Aid Commission website provides a “Means Test Indicator” which allows you to quickly see on a Means level whether you qualify. This Indicator is not binding and only provides a brief indication. The “Means Test Indicator” can be found at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au.