How legal aid helps
Legal aid funds advice, help and representation to help people with their legal problems.
Legal aid helps over 2 million people each year.
Read more about how legal aid helps every day by choosing a category of law below.
Some names have been changed.
- Actions against the police
- Clinical negligence
- Crime
- Debt
- Domestic abuse
- Education
- Employment
- Family
- Housing
- Immigration and nationality
- Welfare benefits
Actions against the police
The ‘Cardiff Newsagent Three’ were cleared on appeal in 1999, after serving 11 years in prison.
Read more about the Cardiff Newsagent Three.
Shaun Doyle, Joanne and Ian Morgan were accused of murdering their friend.
Read more about Shaun Doyle, Joanne and Ian Morgan.
Clinical negligence
How Ben got the care he needs.
Catherine was born with severe cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning difficulties.
Hattie was brain damaged at birth and was left with cerebral palsy and deafness.
Nathan has severe cerebral palsy. He won a 13 yr battle for compensation.
Richard was left with severe cerebral palsy after a negligent birth.
Crime
Michelle was arrested on suspicion of obtaining property by deception using a debit card and chequebook stolen by her boyfriend.
Abraham was cautioned by police for causing trouble with two men.
Mandy was arrested on suspicion of breaching an Anti Social Behaviour Order.
Luke was grateful for his duty solicitor after he was arrested on mistaken identity.
Debt
Some years ago, Joan fell into rent arrears and was taken to court.
Claire and her partner had run up substantial amounts of debt and were facing bailiffs and eviction.
Jeff was in a really bad state with his debts and his marriage was on the rocks.
Mrs E was struggling with her finances and ran up debts with credit and store cards.
Gareth was struggling with debt problems. He had five credit cards and was behind in paying his water bill and council tax.
Domestic abuse
Joyce’s husband was abusive towards her and their children.
Caz was a victim of domestic physical violence and mental cruelty for more than 2 decades.
Education
Jo is a single mum with two children. Her son Ben was diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder.
Joe has learning difficulties. He was excluded from school for a physical assault on another student and a member of staff.
Employment
Mark was a bus driver for 20 years and during this time he developed a severe nickel allergy.
Ms B is a teacher who fought for unfair dismissal.
Tony left her job and her employer didn't pay her final wages.
Kamala started being bullied and sexually harassed by her manager at work.
Cerys works for Capita Insurance Services, a Community Legal Advice telephone advice provider.
Family
One evening Pat's husband Ron failed to come home.
Chantel was brought up in care with her older brother. She was five years old when he started abusing her.
Jayne had been having marital problems with her husband for some time and they had agreed to separate.
Lisa went to her local solicitors as she had custody issues over her young son.
6 year old Jane had become withdrawn at school and was often tearful when her mother dropped her off.
Housing
At 16 Patrick was in danger of losing his rented accommodation and being forced to quit his college studies.
Alison took out a number of loans and fell behind with her rent and council tax payments.
Jean contacted a law centre because she needed advice on housing and benefits.
Christopher, a former NHS worker, faced losing his home of 18 years.
Lina faced losing her home.
Aiden and Maxine were at risk of losing council house after their father (in-law) passed away and they were refused succession rights.
Read more about Aiden and Maxine.
Immigration and nationality
Fehmi Esen, a Kurd, and his family were subjected to persecution whilst living in Turkey.
Kabashag Reshyt came to England to seek asylum from Kosovo with his wife and 3 young children.
Read more about Kabashag Reshyt.
Mrs Girach needed advice on a family matter concerning immigration law.
Welfare benefits
Tom lives with his wife, Ann, in a rural village. He suffers with health problems and decreased mobility.
Alun's multiple scleroris was getting progressively worse. He was in real pain and very depressed about the future.
Ms A is a single mother with 3 dependant children. She has severe mental health problems.