Scottish Legal Aid Board (find a legal aid solicitor)

Have ready

• the list of what to bring, from your solicitor: ask them before the appointment
• your most recent bank statements showing your income, savings and any household payments you make
• recent wage slips, or accounts if you are self-employed
• current benefit award letters or notifications
• pension payment advice from a former employer, or your pension or benefit book
• details of all your savings and accounts: bank, building society or post office statements or passbooks
• any documents to do with your case
• the same money details for your partner, unless you are separated or they are the person you have the legal problem with

They may ask

• what kind of help you need (civil, criminal or children's hearings) and your location in Scotland, in the finder
• about your savings and income over the past 7 days, on the form your solicitor gives you

They can

• show you registered legal aid solicitors near you
• explain whether legal aid is available in principle, how to apply, and what your solicitor needs to give them
• agree for your solicitor to start work straight away in an urgent case, before your application is assessed. Legal aid does not cover work done before the Board agrees, so check with your solicitor that it has
• take calls from British Sign Language users through Contact Scotland BSL

They cannot

• give you legal advice: it only gives information on applying for legal aid
• tell you by phone whether legal aid will be granted for your case
• take an application from you directly: you can only apply through a solicitor
• make a solicitor take your case: each solicitor decides, even if registered for legal aid, so you may need to try more than one