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To qualify for Legal Aid in children or family matters, you generally need to show you are a victim of — or at risk of — domestic violence, or that a child is a victim of, or at risk of, abuse (and you are not the perpetrator), and satisfy a financial means test.

Automatic exceptions include: Social Services threatening to remove your child; needing an injunction due to domestic violence (a contribution may apply); needing a forced marriage protection order; child abduction where a child has been removed without consent; and applicants aged 16–18 (parents may also be assessed). Cases that don't fit these categories may still qualify under "exceptional funding," assessed case by case.

If you receive Income Support, Income-Based ESA, Income-Based JSA or Guarantee Credit, you automatically satisfy the income assessment. Otherwise, your gross monthly income (earnings, tax credits, benefits, maintenance, family support) must not exceed £2,657 (unless you have 4+ children). After deducting items such as rent/mortgage, tax, NI and child allowances, your disposable income must be £733 or less.

A capital assessment also applies — savings, property and valuables must total less than £8,000. Both the income and capital tests must be satisfied.

You can check eligibility using the official civil eligibility calculator.

We'll typically ask for proof of income and outgoings — benefit letters, wage slips or invoices, tax returns, bank statements, tax credit awards, and proof of rent, mortgage or childcare costs. This list isn't exhaustive and will vary case to case.

Domestic violence is defined as any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse — psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional — between associated individuals. Evidence must generally be from within the last five years. Child abuse evidence does not need to relate directly to the child you are concerned about.