Legal Aid Eligibility

We have a Legal Aid contract with the Legal Aid Agency to provide Legal Aid for family matters in both public and private law. We have set out below the types of matters where you may be able to receive legal aid and when you are likely to qualify for legal if you need help in those areas.


Care Proceedings and Pre-Proceedings

To be entitled to Legal Aid for care proceedings or pre-proceedings, you would need to have parental responsibility for the child/ren involved. This is not means or merits tested. We will need the pre-proceedings letter or details of the care proceedings in order for you to receive legal aid.


Injunctions (Non-Molestation Orders and or Occupation Orders)

If you need an injunction (Non-Molestation Orders and/or Occupation Orders), you must pass a means test and a merits test before you can receive Legal Aid.


The merits test must identify that you have grounds for applying for an injunction (Non-Molestation Orders and/or Occupation Orders). You will not get Legal Aid if there are bail conditions or any other orders already protecting you. We may have to write a harassment warning letter to the other person on your behalf before Legal Aid is available to obtain the above Orders. 


The means test is detailed below.


Child Arrangements 

To receive Legal Aid in relation to child arrangements, you will need to either be the victim of domestic abuse from the child/ren’s father or there will need to be evidence that the father has been abusive to the child/ren. You will also need to pass the means test as detailed below.


There are certain documents that you will need to produce to be able to prove that you are a victim of domestic abuse or that your child/ren are at risk of child abuse. Evidence may include, for instance, a letter from a GP or social services. This can be sent or delivered to us in Taunton. We will need one of these documents before we could help you under Legal Aid. 


Divorce and Separation

To receive Legal Aid in relation to divorce or separation, you will need to be the victim of domestic abuse from your husband or partner/ex-partner. You will also need to pass the means test as detailed below.


There are certain documents that you will need to produce to be able to prove that you are a victim of domestic abuse. Evidence may include, for instance, a letter from a GP or social services. This can be sent or delivered to us in Taunton. We will need one of these documents before we could help you under Legal Aid. 


Finances and Property

To receive Legal Aid in relation to finances and/or property, you will need to be the victim of domestic abuse from your husband or partner/ex-partner. You will also need to pass the means test as detailed below.


There are certain documents that you will need to produce to be able to prove that you are a victim of domestic abuse. Evidence may include, for instance, a letter from a GP or social services. This can be sent or delivered to us in Taunton. We will need one of these documents before we could help you under Legal Aid. 


Means Testing

The means test means will depend on your capital and income position. We will need documents such as bank statements and wage slips (if relevant) in relation to your income position. We will need documents such as valuations and mortgage statements (if relevant) in relation to your capital position. We would need these documents from you before we could help you under Legal Aid. These documents can be sent or delivered to us in Taunton.


Price Information


Standard Rate

We offer hourly rate of £200 for Solicitors and £100 for Paralegals and or Trainee Solicitors.


We charge our hourly rates in six-minute units which are rounded up to the nearest unit as appropriate. For instance, a five-minute phone call will be rounded up to one unit, with all of our work being charged at a minimum of one unit. It is important you note that we feel we have created a competitive pricing structure and as a consequence we require clients to purchase their advice in advance, in two or more hour blocks. Any unused time will be refunded at the end of the matter or on your request. Another point to note is the fact that we will charge and invoice all of our time.


Fixed Fees

We offer the following services based on a fixed fee, which means we will not charge you more for your matter unless the work changes from the basis that we have agreed in the client care letter. The Fixed Fees we currently offer are:


  • One hours initial advice £150.00;
  • Change of Name Deed £200.00; 
  • Drafting a consent order for finances or child arrangements £700.00; and
  • Completing an uncontested application for Divorce £400. 


Other Charges

All clients are charged in addition to their quoted fees:


  • Completing our identification process £20 per person.
  • Making a BACs or CHAPs payment £30 per payment.
  • Travelling to court or a home visit £75 per hour with a minimum charge of £25.


Third-Party Payments (Disbursements)

Your matter may be subject to third party payments, such as court fees, which we can organise subject to you paying money on account. We will notify you of the need for a third-party payment on account as required by your matter. Please note that we do not financially benefit from third-party payments.


VAT

This firm is VAT registered. Please assume the figures on this website are excluding VAT which will be added in addition.

Our accreditations and memberships

We are Specialist Quality Mark Hold Contracted with the Legal Aid Agency as well as:

Calder Mullis Family Solicitors, members of Resolution.
Calder Mullis Family Solicitors, members of Cyber Essentials.
Calder Mullis, Family Solicitors logo.

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