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What happens if I need a solicitor and can't get one (legal aid)

6 replies

IfYouWantToSingOutSingOutIfYouWantToBeFreeBeFree · 11/09/2025 10:28

Just that, I'm being taken to family court and cannot get a legal aid solicitor.

I have no idea what to do, there are a few things that need ironed out so I need to be able to object to a couple of things, and have no idea how.

Any ideas?

(Scotland)

OP posts:
zipadeedodah · 11/09/2025 10:30

Can you widen your search area? If not, you will either have to pay for legal representation or represent yourself. Legal Aid is a loan anyway, not a grant.

IfYouWantToSingOutSingOutIfYouWantToBeFreeBeFree · 11/09/2025 10:35

I have widened it to 100 mile radius.

I am entitled to free representation, this isn't financially benefitting me at all so wouldn't have to pay it back. I just can't find anyone to help and have no idea how to file paperwork etc myself.

OP posts:
PrincessofWells · 11/09/2025 10:36

Try a law centre or the cab.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

zipadeedodah · 11/09/2025 10:47

IfYouWantToSingOutSingOutIfYouWantToBeFreeBeFree · 11/09/2025 10:35

I have widened it to 100 mile radius.

I am entitled to free representation, this isn't financially benefitting me at all so wouldn't have to pay it back. I just can't find anyone to help and have no idea how to file paperwork etc myself.

yes my daughter is having the exact same problem at the moment although we think she has eventually found someone. The person is a junior solicitor doing their final exams and we think that she takes on a few legal aid cases to use them in her portfolio for her final exams. Which is fine, at least she is free.

Wikidivorce is a good resource website.

Onthebusses · 11/09/2025 11:12

IfYouWantToSingOutSingOutIfYouWantToBeFreeBeFree · 11/09/2025 10:35

I have widened it to 100 mile radius.

I am entitled to free representation, this isn't financially benefitting me at all so wouldn't have to pay it back. I just can't find anyone to help and have no idea how to file paperwork etc myself.

You can find out. You can use ChatGPT to find things out. The process is hell if you don't know what you're doing. It's not actually that complicated though.

First hearing you both present your case.

Just say what you think should happen and why. Ask the judge to decide on areas you cannot agree. Put forward what you believe to be in the best interests of the child.

Look at the Welfare Checklist and ensure your requests align with it. This is what the judge will use.

Things could then be ironed out in the next hearing.

Understand that the threshold for contact with a child is extremely high. Promote safe contact with the child and their dad. If you have genuine concerns that he will be a direct threat to the child, say them, ask them to be considered.

A legal aid team are very likely to do a terrible job anyway. They pass you around different barristers who see you briefly before representing you.

The solicitors have massive case loads and you are far from prioritised and they can actually make the whole thing worse.

Annoying people say 'just pay'. You have to be on the breadline to qualify. Paying simply is not an option.

But going it alone could be much better for you.

If you ask ChatGPT to lay out the process you can then probe further and get information on the process. It will be accurate because the information is freely available. It will just be condensed for you rather than you spending time searching around.

Call the Child Law Helpline to ask about points of law.

Ask the court directly for their in-house help team for help with process.

Children usually get school pick up Friday and drop off Monday by the other parent, and a night in the week, half the holidays.

Some judges do 7 days on 7 days off.

PocketSand · 11/09/2025 15:32

I was told I was entitled to legal aid and provided with a list of nationwide solicitors. I couldn’t find a single one who could help me. I ended up litigant in person using wikivorce.

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