Public funding (legal aid)
Legal aid funding helps around 2 million people a year get access to justice and legal advice services.
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) funds solicitors and advice agencies to help as many eligible people as possible to
- get advice on their legal problems;
- understand their rights and the law;
- get legal advice when detained in police stations; and
- be represented in court, if necessary.
Community Legal Advice is the LSC's helpline, offering free, confidential and independent legal advice. You can call Community Legal Advice on 0845 345 4345.
Legal aid is administered in England and Wales by the LSC, which has an annual budget (set by the Treasury) of 2 billion pounds. The Ministry of Justice oversees the LSC's work.