Experiences with being granted Legal Aid?

[santorinisunset]

I'm currently in the process of applying for Legal Aid to help me get a divorce on DV grounds. Just waiting on supporting evidence from the police and courts. Then will submit the application together with whatever else they need (proof of income I think).

Any experiences of being granted Legal Aid? Is it a straightforward process? I believe that sometimes an applicant might be granted LA, but will still need to make part payment of the costs. If this is the case, are you told from the outset, is it made clear? Don't like the idea of hidden surprises or unexpected legal bills landing on the doormat!

If you are are lucky enough to be granted legal aid, is it then the applicant's job to find a solicitor who accepts LA-funded cases?

Sorry for all the questions, the gov.uk website isn't particularly clear or helpful.

Thanks for reading :)

I am a victim of domestic violence and on a low income, but when I applied for Legal Aid for divorce last year I was turned down due to having too much equity in the former matrimonial home which I still own jointly with my estranged spouse. It's certainly worth a try though.

I found a solicitor who accepted Legal Aid first and then they sent off my documentation to the Legal Aid Agency for the purpose of eligibility checks, so it may be easier to first find a Legal Aid solicitor to help you through the Legal Aid application process.

As I understand it, Legal Aid is a loan (unless you really can't afford to pay anything back) and the Legal Aid Agency will try to recover as much of the legal fees incurred as possible after you receive any potential financial settlement in divorce. If you qualify for Legal Aid, your solicitor should be able to give you regular updates on the fees incurred at any given time so that it does not come as a surprise right at the very end.

Thank you for taking the time to respond, much appreciated.
It must have been disheartening to be turned down for Legal Aid, I'm sorry :(
I have no shared assets with husband. He's a foreign national who was removed from the UK following DV and my decision to revoke sponsorship of his spousal visa.
I bought my house in my own right couple of years after this. He's never paid a penny, nor did we have anything like joint saving etc.
I have no saving to speak of, just a couple of hundred for "rainy day" expenses like school trips, school uniform.
I have about 20 years left on my mortgage but finance - wise, I just about break even each month. Certainly no spare money :(

I was awarded legal aid due to emotional abuse and DP punching a hole in the wall the day we split. I wasn’t asked for any evidence

I’m not entitled to legal aid as although mine is a DV case, there is equity in the house and I earn too much apparently, even though there’s nothing left at the end of each month. I’m relying on loans from family and friends which I’ll pay back with the house sale money. I wish you the best of luck, it’s an awful situation to be in. I would say try to find a solicitor now as a lot of firms won’t take on legal aid clients.