Criteria for Obtaining Legal Aid
Information
The Legal Aid Board will grant you a certificate for legal aid if in the Board's opinion:
- you have passed the merits test and the means test set
- you have as a matter of law reasonable grounds for instituting, defending or being a party to the proceedings for which legal aid is sought
- you are reasonably likely to be successful in the proceedings
- the proceedings for which legal aid is sought are the most satisfactory means of achieving the result sought by you
- having regard to all the circumstances (including the probable cost to the Board, measured against the likely benefit to you), it is reasonable to grant the application.
- your case does not fall within the excluded areas.
If the proceedings concern the welfare of a child including custody or access, factors 3 and 5 will not apply.
Page updated: 8 April 2008
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Related Documents
- Civil Legal Aid
This document describes civil legal aid in Ireland. - Eligibility for Legal Aid
This document describes the eligibility criteria for civil legal aid in Ireland. - Civil legal aid and cross border disputes
If you have a legal dispute in another EU country you may be able to avail of legal aid in that country by applying to the Legal Aid Board.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.