Why is it important to have legal representation?

Why is it important to have legal representation?

Legal representation is often the only hope for defendants facing criminal prosecution to secure their right to a fair trial. The right to an attorney protects people from an unfair trial. The success of a person’s trial largely depends on the ability of their attorney to provide an adequate defense.

What are the advantages of legal aid?

An advantage of using Legal Aid, if you do qualify, is that it normally protects you from having to pay the other side’s costs if you lose the case. However with Legal Aid you do have to make a contribution to your own legal costs.

Is legal aid important?

Legal aid is the provision of assistance to people who are unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and the right to a fair trial.

What do you need to know about legal aid?

Legal aid can help meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal. You’ll usually need to show that: your case is eligible for legal aid.

Do you have to pay for legal aid if you are arrested?

If you are going to be interviewed by the police under caution or have been arrested you are always entitled to FREE legal advice and representation. You will not incur any costs for this legal representation.

What happens if the director of Legal Aid refuses to grant legal aid?

For civil cases, if you are aggrieved by the decision of the Director of Legal Aid to refuse the grant of legal aid, you may appeal to the Registrar of the High Court; or in Court of Final Appeal cases, to a Committee of Review. The decision of the Registrar or the Committee of Review is final.

What are the consequences of changes in legal aid?

The forthcoming reductions and changes in legal aid will have the most serious consequences. This is not simply because of their scale, it is also by reason of their design and incidence. Among other things they will have a disproportionately adverse effect on the most vulnerable in our society.

How does legal aid provide access to justice?

Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and the right to a fair trial. This article describes the development of legal aid and its principles, primarily as known in Europe, the Commonwealth of Nations and in the United States.

What do you mean by civil legal aid?

Civil legal aid refers to both free legal advocacy and legal information for low- and middle-income people to help address the civil legal problems they may face. This can take many forms, including:

What happens if my legal aid is withdrawn?

If legal aid is withdrawn, you may have to repay the full legal costs. You have the right to free legal advice if you’re questioned at a police station. You’ll automatically get legal aid for legal representation in court if you’re under 16 (or under 18 and in full-time education) or on certain benefits.

How does legal aid relate to the welfare system?

Legal aid has a close relationship with the welfare state, and the provision of legal aid by a state is influenced by attitudes towards welfare. Legal aid is a welfare provision by the state to people who could otherwise not afford counsel from the legal system.