Court Costs and Legal Aid

Originally written by Dave Howell, updated by the editorial team on 8th July 2026

Understanding Court Costs

Taking a legal matter to court can be expensive. Court fees, solicitor charges and other costs add up quickly, and many people worry about whether they can afford to pursue a case at all.

The legal system in the UK recognises this problem. Various forms of financial help exist to make sure that lack of money does not prevent people from accessing justice. If you are concerned about affording court proceedings, several options are available before you decide whether to go ahead.

Legal Jargon Translator

Paste any legal text and get a plain English explanation.

Try our Legal Jargon Translator free, here on this site →

What is Legal Aid?

Legal aid is government funding administered by the Legal Aid Agency that helps people who cannot afford legal costs. It can cover solicitor fees and certain court related expenses, though not all costs are included automatically. Some expenses may not be fully covered, and applicants are sometimes required to make contributions towards their case.

Legal aid is available for certain types of civil cases, though not all matters qualify. The type of case matters, as does your financial position and the likely outcome of your claim. Even where financial need is high, eligibility is not guaranteed.

To be considered for legal aid, you will usually need to show that:

Your income and savings fall below set thresholds
Your case passes the merits test, which considers the reasonable chance of success, public interest and importance of the case
The type of legal matter is covered by the scheme

There are limits on both earnings and assets. Eligibility is assessed based on gross income and disposable income after certain deductions, along with your capital. If you do not qualify for full legal aid, you may still receive partial funding. Current thresholds are published on GOV.UK and are updated periodically.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

How to Check if You Qualify

The government provides an online legal aid calculator that gives you a rough idea of whether you might be eligible. You enter details about your income, savings, property and the type of case you are dealing with. The tool provides an initial assessment, though it cannot guarantee eligibility.

This calculator is free to use and takes only a few minutes. You can find it on the GOV.UK website by searching for legal aid eligibility. A formal application through the Legal Aid Agency is needed before any funding is confirmed, and there can be delays in processing applications.

If the calculator suggests you may qualify, the next step is usually to contact a solicitor who offers legal aid services. Not all law firms do this, so you may need to search for one in your area. The Law Society and Citizens Advice can help you find legal aid providers near you.

Other Help with Court Costs

If you do not qualify for legal aid, other options may still be open to you. Some solicitors offer payment plans or fixed fees for certain types of work. Others work on a no win, no fee basis, though this arrangement is more common in personal injury claims and is not available for every kind of case.

You may also be able to apply for help with court fees through the Help with Fees scheme. This is separate from legal aid and covers the fees charged by the court itself, such as the cost of issuing a claim. Eligibility depends on your income and savings, and you apply directly to the court handling your case.

Citizens Advice and local law centres can offer free guidance on your options. They can explain what financial support might be available and help you understand whether pursuing a court case makes sense in your circumstances.

Before taking any legal action, get a clear picture of the likely costs involved. Ask any solicitor you speak to for an estimate of fees at the outset. This helps you plan ahead and avoid unexpected bills later on.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Legal Jargon Translator lets you paste any legal text and get a plain English explanation. Try it now →

Showing 20 of 125 questions

Ask Courtroom Advice a Question

Tintinout 18/05/2021 at 1:34 pm

I collided with a guy playing rugby. He broke a cheekbone and his nose. Now I'm being pursued for compensation. It was an accident on the rugby pitch. Yet what am I to do? I can't afford a solicitor. I'm pretty much done for. Is there any advice anyone would care to offer?

Thanks

Pauly 17/03/2021 at 5:09 am

I have just over the £8000 limit for legal aid other than than I only get a state pension. My question if say I employed you one I had paid some of my account could I reapply for legal aid? Also my wife has alleged domestic abuse. Is that something you could help me defend?

Beau 27/02/2021 at 11:49 am

Hi I'm confused my sister has legal aid regarding a custody case with her son and ex husband.aparently she said that her solicitor rang saying she needed 150 to proceed with the finding a fact hearing.i thought legal aid meant that she didn't have to pay anything due to legal aid.im confused can anyone explain this thank you

Fran 18/02/2021 at 10:03 pm

Can a parent get financial support to attend court when their 13yr old child is on trial

Boys 21/12/2020 at 8:25 pm

Hi I just have questions my ex not coming regularly but he is still welcome in my home but I have problem with older son he have therapist is all over the place but my ex want the kids Boxing Day at his house I try explain that is not good idea yet kids need more time and he is not happy so is blackmail me with court because I said no for one night what can I do he need understand that I do want our son get better and if we go court I m single mum with 3 kids I don’t have money for lawyers can you help me please

Eli 14/12/2020 at 9:40 am

I took my ex to court for a non molestation order for domestic abuse. I received legal aid. He paid his legal team.
Anyway the judge didn’t believe me and he was ordered his money to be paid back to him about £7000 and it had to go to I think a head commissioner (something like that.)
My ex is now using that he is paying the loan back as the courts didn’t pay him as ordered by the judge.
Once ordered by a judge can it be turned down that his paid back??
I’m sure his just using this information to upset me and make me feel guilty. Deep down I believe his been paid back.
It is none of my business but it keeps being thrown in my face at every opportunity and would like to know how if it’s true.

Lindy 01/09/2020 at 4:18 pm

Hello if someone contests a will and accepts an out of Court payment would this be classed as an inheritance we are talking about over a million pound's than you

Pete 08/08/2020 at 8:18 am

My children's mother has stopped my children from coming to my house as my new partner has a dog who stays with us and my son has eczema. I am now be limited to 2 hour park visits with my children and feel discriminated against as my son has not had a reaction to the dog and my house is kept clean. I am desperate to have some normal contact with my boys and am terrified I won't be able to see them at Xmas. I work full time and don't claim universal credit, but I don't have a disposable income more than £100 per month. Can I get help???

Monk 12/07/2020 at 1:42 pm

If I'm on benefits can I get legal aid for slander a care home lied about me when visited my friend which has lasting affects meaning local authority are saying I'm a risk . It's untrue effected me still dose mentel health which never suffered from before he lied said a safeguarding on me too . Which didn't exist and local authority wouldn't tell me it didn't can't express how this has affected me will for rest of my life . all I want to do is clear my name as Seriouse implications on my contact with my friend I'm no risk .

Sasa 27/06/2020 at 12:07 pm

My husband is to go to court on a criminal case. This involves the period before we met. Am I obliged to contribute to his legal fees as he is now a pensioner.

The legal aid says because I work I should contribute. Beside they calculated in a way which leaves us with only £300 a month and how do I then pay bills? Do I have a legal right to refuse?

ruby 05/06/2020 at 10:09 pm

I have suffered enormous amounts of stress from my child's school. He started secondary school in September 2019. Since then it has been a nightmare my son has been receiving exclusion after exclusion and now he has been permanently excluded. He was on the SEN register since 2017 but nobody had taken actions to why his behaviour has been unacceptable . I was called into school every week to discuss behaviour. The school hadn't contacted outside agencies or other professionals to see the exact cause for behaviour. After so much tension and stress I decided to get him assessed by a private educational psychologist. He was diagnosed with severe ADHD and some additional learning needs.
I am extremely disappointed by the schools assumptions that his behaviour was a cause of bad parenting and he was perfectly normal. I am disgusted by the behaviour of the Head towards me and my family.

Tats 18/05/2020 at 10:45 pm

I had a glass of wine and drove my car to a friends house and on way there I had a puncture I carried on driving till I got there and had another 2 glasses of wine .
Unbehole to me I was reported ant 25 minutes later I was arrested for drink driving.
I only work part time and cant afford a solicitor, am entitled to legal aid .

Tiger1003 06/05/2020 at 3:13 am

My partner recently passed away but had no will. I've lived with him for 22 years but he had started to buy the house approx 6 months before we met so it is in his name only. I moved in 6month later and we have payed off the house early. As theres no will am I entitaled to anything as his brother seems to think I'm not as we were not married and it's not in a will. But my hard earnings for the past 20 years have contributed surely...

Mom1 10/12/2019 at 9:50 am

My wife filed for non molestation order against me and has lied so i can't even see our daughter with out going through her solicitors. I was abused and cant get legal aid i need help. I have a fact finding hearing early next year

Jj 27/11/2019 at 1:37 pm

My wife has fabricated domestic abuse in an attempt to stop me seeing my son. The problem is that she is the abuser and I have factual evidence for all the lies she has told. She has submitted no evidence whatsoever. The problem is that she ia getting legal aid and I am not so it's very expensive. I am talking up to £40k!!.

I went to court today and refused any undertaking whatsoever because I want to present evidence to prove that she is a persistent liar she is actually the abuser. I want to inform the legal aid authorities that she is abusing the system.

Is there a way to do that?

Jenna 17/09/2019 at 2:13 pm

Hi. I left an abusive relationship 3 months ago and applied for legal aid in order to take out a non molestation order against my ex. The solicitors team rang back asking about my bank accounts and I thought I had given them all my details. We went to court and shortly after the legal aid people enquired about an account I had forgot to declare. My head was all over the place after the split and it was an honest mistake on my behalf (the account only had £30 in it). I supplied them with the informant and they sent me a legal aid certificate. I received a letter today advising me that my certificate is under review as I hadn't given all the information when required and that it may be revoked. I can't afford solicitor or court fees. What help can I get?

Happynana 17/07/2019 at 6:12 pm

Hi my son wants to go for access to his children but his ex is messing him around with access can he get legal access and will he get any help he is on esa thanks

Olieli 04/03/2019 at 9:21 pm

Had a very abusive and violent ex husband that had a law degree. Proceeded to court in 2006 he having been diagnosed with a paranoid personality disorder and a querulous litigant, he being also a litigant in person. Six years later after numerous appearances all sorts of allegations within the care act about my disabled children and my care he was stopped from seeing them. I got 65k costs and he never complied to any order, so never recieved any financial contribution, not even legal costs he owed me of 11k. Legal Aid Agency put charge on house that I am not able to contribute to as I'm a full time carer, today it stands at 83k. Ex has now died with no estate even thought he worked for many years. Financial abuse to the extreme and the courts allowed this to happen to me. Have tried everything to freeze interest on property as in the passage of time there will be nothing left, it seems it's okay for victims of domestic violence to be treated this way.

Rob 25/01/2019 at 1:10 am

Hello, I would just like to make an enquirie would I be able to get legal representation to dispute a school exclusion against my 13yr old daughter on legal aid, she had a managed move to a different school and it failed, so the proposed school sent her back to her home school, but her home school will not allow her back into the school, the school has told me that she is not excluded and they will not allow her back at the school but have put her on an AP (alternative programme) any legal help would be very much appriciated. Thank you in advance. Rob

CourtroomAdvice Editor 01/06/2018 at 2:51 pm

You can see more whichwhich should help answer your question.

Show All 125 Questions

Ask Courtroom Advice a question

Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.

You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.

Comments are moderated before publication.