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Original poster

Legal aid urgent question

4 replies

Toomuchwine89 · 19/03/2023 23:27

If anyone could help, I'd be so grateful.

I'm hoping to apply for legal aid. I'm on Universal Credit but have some savings.

Local solicitor said that any savings I have above 3k I'll have to pay upfront to the legal aid agency. Ok fine.

Then she said that her (solicitor) fees would be £50 an hour, £5 per 6 minute phone call etc.

My question is...

Are her fees paid from the money I'll have sent upfront to the legal aid agency?? Or do I pay that AND pay her fees??

Thank you!

OP posts:
Collaborate · 20/03/2023 09:53

She's quoted you her legal aid rates. Her bill is paid by the Legal Aid Agency. If her bill comes to less than the capital contribution you've paid then you'll get a partial refund.

£50 an hour is scandalously low. I feel for her trying to make a living on that.

Original poster
Toomuchwine89 · 20/03/2023 10:36

Collaborate · 20/03/2023 09:53

She's quoted you her legal aid rates. Her bill is paid by the Legal Aid Agency. If her bill comes to less than the capital contribution you've paid then you'll get a partial refund.

£50 an hour is scandalously low. I feel for her trying to make a living on that.

So I don't pay £50 an hour AND the capital contribution?

OP posts:
Collaborate · 20/03/2023 10:44

No. If her bill is more thsan your capital contribution you don't have to pay any more, but you should have had the statutory charge explained to you and if your income changes your montly contribution may increase (though if you are on income based UC equivalent to income based JSA you won't have to pay anything further from income for now).

Original poster
Toomuchwine89 · 20/03/2023 11:02

Collaborate · 20/03/2023 10:44

No. If her bill is more thsan your capital contribution you don't have to pay any more, but you should have had the statutory charge explained to you and if your income changes your montly contribution may increase (though if you are on income based UC equivalent to income based JSA you won't have to pay anything further from income for now).

Oh wow, thank you! I thought I had to pay both so I cancelled my appointment. I'll have to book another one x

OP posts:
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