Legal Aid Board

Legal Aid Board is an independent, publicly funded organisation that provides civil legal aid and advice, family mediation services, and administers three ad-hoc criminal legal aid schemes. Through a nationwide network of law centres and mediation offices, the Board ensures access to justice for individuals who cannot afford legal representation and coordinates services with contracted private practitioners when specialist expertise is required.

With a broad civil justice remit, the Board delivers civil legal aid and advice in non-criminal disputes and international protection matters. Its Family Mediation Service helps couples and parents resolve issues in parenting, finances and the family home through confidential, no-cost mediation, while pathways for asylum and protection matters are available through its law centres and panels of skilled practitioners.

Client service is underpinned by transparent eligibility and merits assessments, including means testing to determine eligibility and a merits test to evaluate case viability. The Board operates across a network of law centres and mediation offices, focusing on practical access to justice and support at every stage of the process.