How legal aid solicitors help you
No one should be denied representation on the basis of their financial capacity. The right to a fair trial, confront your accuser, and file a complaint may not be tantamount to an absolute right, but they should always be upheld. However, not everyone knows that they can always seek legal aid when they’re trampled upon or accused of a crime. They automatically think that since they don’t have a bottomless pocket, they should rather sleep on their rights.
If you find yourself in this situation, know that you can still access the court system and be legally represented through affiliated and authorised Legal Aid Solicitors. They offer free legal consultation and representation to individuals who couldn’t afford to pay for a lawyer’s services. Sometimes, legal aid may not be entirely free, but it’s way more affordable than commissioning a private practice lawyer. If you’re unsure how else a Legal Aid Solicitor can help you, check out these points presented below.
Assess your complaint and give immediate legal advise
When you visit a legal aid clinic, you can immediately ask a lawyer to question your concerns to get a preliminary view of the problem. They would help determine what rights have been violated, what case can be filed, and the next steps to take. They would also check whether your case is covered by legal aid. You see, while criminal cases and some civil and family cases are covered, other civil actions are exempt from coverage. Those that involve Conditional Fee Agreements, libel, and businesses are often left out to allocate resources to the needier.
The moment they take your case, your lawyer-client relationship commences. By then, you can be sure that you have somebody who can represent, file a complaint, or answer complaints on your behalf. Your lawyer will also apprise you as to what will happen next and how you will proceed with the case.
Draft a complaint or send out an answer
If you’re the one filing the case, your legal aid Solicitor will be the one to gather all the relevant facts related to the case, ascertain the right case to file, and draft the complaint affidavit before it’s submitted to the court. After filing in court, your legal aid solicitor will also make sure that the other party to the case is served with a copy of the complaint. He will also be the one to monitor whether or not the party replies within the time set by the rules. If they don’t respond, he can take note of that instance and use the same to ask the court to rule on the case ex-parte.
If you’re the respondent or defendant, your legal aid Solicitor is tasked to draft an Answer to the complaint sent to you, highlighting why you’re not liable for the alleged felony or malfeasance. He will also ensure that the rules are followed to protect your right. Any remission on the accuser’s part should be raised by your Solicitor and used as a ground to dismiss the case.
These are just a few of a Legal Aid Solicitor’s main tasks when representing clients in situations such as yours. With their help, the promise that those who have less in life should have more in law is fulfilled.
