Legal Aid for Domestic Abuse
At the Domestic (DA) Abuse Alliance, we believe that no one should be forced to stay in an unsafe situation because they can’t afford help. That’s why we work with a trusted network of legal specialists to assess your eligibility for Legal Aid, ensuring you get the protection and advice you need quickly, confidentially, and with compassion.
Whether you need a non-molestation order, occupation order, or support with other family legal matters, our team is here to guide you through every step.
What Is Legal Aid?
Legal Aid is government funding that helps cover the cost of:
- Legal advice
- Solicitor or barrister representation
- Court proceedings
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you may be entitled to Legal Aid even if you work, own property, or have savings. The system is designed to ensure that legal protection is accessible when you need it most.
You do not have to repay Legal Aid unless you recover money or property at the end of your case, such as through a financial settlement. In most domestic abuse cases, this does not apply.
Do I Qualify?
Most people referred to the DA Alliance do qualify for Legal Aid, but even if you’re unsure, it’s
always worth applying. Legal Aid eligibility is based on two main checks:
1 Means Test – Your Financial Situation
This considers your income, savings, assets, and sometimes your partner’s finances.
You may qualify if:
- You receive certain passporting benefits (e.g., Universal Credit, Income Support, ESA, Pension Credit, or JSA)
- Your income is below a set threshold once essential costs (e.g., rent, childcare) are deducted and you are not in receipt of one of the above passporting benefits.
- You have less than £3,000 combined in all accounts held in your name (including savings, Child Savings/ISA accounts).
- You have disposable income of over £8000.
- You’re over State Pension age or your case involves domestic abuse (there’s more flexibility in some cases).
Your partner’s finances are usually included, if you live or share finances together, unless your case is against them.
If you have special circumstances such as a language barrier, a disability, or a complex situation, you may still qualify through something called Exceptional Case Funding. We’ll help you explore that too.
2 Merits Test – The Strength of Your Case
This test is about whether your case is reasonable to take forward. It considers:
- If the legal action is likely to succeed
- The grounds/merits of your case i.e. when the last incident of abuse occurred. You generally need to apply as soon as possible after the last incident of domestic abuse, as this also determines the urgency of why protection is required.
- Whether the likely outcome justifies the time, cost, and effort involved.
- If a reasonable person would pay for legal help in your position.
Legal Aid may be granted at the start of your case and reviewed as things progress.
What Documents Will
I Need?
To speed up your Legal Aid application, it’s helpful to gather the following:
- Evidence of your income and savings (e.g., pay slips, benefit letters, bank statements).
- Evidence of domestic abuse, if required.
- ID and proof of address.
- A copy of your tenancy agreement or mortgage agreement is required if applying for an Occupation Order where both parties (Applicant and Respondent) hold property rights (including the matrimonial home).
Our team will assist you in compiling the right evidence and can often liaise with support agencies to help reduce the burden on you.
What Counts as Evidence of Domestic Abuse?
Legal Aid requires credible evidence of domestic abuse. Examples include:
- Police reports or criminal charges against the perpetrator
- An existing non-molestation or occupation order.
- Letters from:
- Your GP or health professional
- Social services or a housing officer
- A domestic abuse charity or refuge
- An Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) or Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA)
- A court finding of fact confirming abuse occurred
If you’re applying for Legal Aid in a case involving children, you may also need to show that the child is at risk.
You don’t have to go through it alone. The Domestic Abuse (DA) Alliance is here to guide andsupport you every step of the way.
What Can Legal Aid
Help With?
Legal Aid can cover:
- Protection from abuse, harassment, or violence.
- Legal advice on children, finances, or divorce after abuse.
- Child abduction cases to or from the UK.
- Cases involving social services (e.g., emergency protection or care orders).
We’ll help you understand what type of protection is right for your situation and how to access it.
What If I’m Not Eligible?
Even if you don’t qualify for Legal Aid, we will still support you. We may be able to:
- Connect you with pro bono legal support (free of charge).
- Support you as a litigant in person (someone representing themselves in court).
- Signpost you to trusted services offering emotional or practical support.
Many people with complex financial situations, like equity in a home they can’t access, are still able to get help. Talk to us before ruling anything out.
How WEPROTECT Supports You
WEPROTECT is our free, secure referral service that helps frontline professionals like police officers, IDVAs, and domestic abuse specialists connect victims with urgent legal protection in a matter of minutes.
Once a referral is made:
- Our team will attempt contact with you within 24 hours
- We carry out an initial assessment and help gather any necessarydocumentation required to support your application
- If legal protection is needed, we connect you with a specialist solicitor from our trusted Legal Partner Network
- We provide continued support throughout your legal journey, making sure you are not alone
We also accept self-referrals from survivors. Click the Make a Referral button on our website,complete the short online form and submit. A member of our team will be in touch to provide support, quickly.
Language and Accessibility Support
We are committed to supporting everyone, including those for whom English is not their first language. Through our WETRANSLATE service we provide:
- Translation and interpretation support in 200+ languages.
- Remote or in-person support options.
- Help with preparing your legal documents, statements, and communications.
If you have a disability or need extra assistance, please let us know. We’re here to make the process as smooth as possible for you.
Let us help you secure the protection you deserve
Legal Aid isn’t just paperwork; it’s your pathway to safety, independence, and peace of mind. We can help you navigate it.
- Call us directly: 0800 101 7110
- Email: weprotect@domestic-abuse.co.uk
- Already referred by a frontline professional? We’ll be in touch shortly..
If You’re at Risk, Don’t Wait
You are not alone. We’re here to help you feel safe again. Contact us today.
