Legal Aid 2026 — free or subsidised legal advice and representation for those who qualify
Legal Aid Ireland 2026
If you cannot afford a private solicitor, legal aid provides access to qualified legal advice and court representation at little or no cost. Civil legal aid is means-tested and covers family law, asylum, employment, and other civil matters. You pay a small contribution — as little as €30 for an initial consultation.
Civil Legal Aid — At a glance
- Income limit
- Disposable income below €18,000/year
- Capital limit
- Disposable capital below €100,000
- Contribution (advice only)
- €30 flat fee
- Contribution (representation)
- €130–€650 depending on income
- Apply
- Nearest Legal Aid Board law centre — legalaidboard.ie
What civil legal aid covers
| Area | Examples | Legal aid available? |
|---|---|---|
| Family law | Separation, divorce, custody, access, maintenance, domestic violence orders | Yes |
| Asylum and immigration | International protection applications and appeals | Yes — priority |
| Employment law | Wrongful dismissal, discrimination | Yes |
| Social welfare appeals | Complex appeals requiring legal argument | Yes |
| Debt and consumer | Repossession, personal insolvency | Some cases |
| Defamation | Libel, slander cases | No |
| Land disputes | Boundary disputes, planning | No |
| Small claims | Claims under €2,000 | No |
The means test — how it is calculated
The Legal Aid Board assesses your disposable income (income after allowable deductions) and disposable capital (assets after deductions). Key allowances include:
- A personal allowance deducted from gross income
- Allowances for dependent children and spouse/partner
- Housing costs (mortgage or rent) deducted from income
- The family home is excluded from capital assessment up to a limit
People receiving most DSP social welfare payments (JA, OFP, DA, etc.) typically qualify on income — but the formal means assessment is still completed.
Civil legal aid vs. criminal legal aid
| Civil legal aid | Criminal legal aid | |
|---|---|---|
| Who administers it | Legal Aid Board | Courts (judge grants it) |
| How to apply | Apply to Legal Aid Board law centre in advance | Apply to the judge when in court |
| Covers | Family law, asylum, employment, civil disputes | Criminal charges and prosecutions |
| Contribution | €30–€650 depending on case | None — free to the accused |
| Waiting list | Yes — except domestic violence and asylum | No — granted in court as needed |
Frequently asked questions
Do immigrants and non-EU nationals qualify for legal aid?
Yes. Legal aid is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland who meets the means test — nationality is not a factor. International protection applicants (asylum seekers) have specific priority access to legal aid for their protection cases.
How long is the waiting list for legal aid?
Waiting times vary by law centre and the type of case. Domestic violence and international protection cases are typically prioritised. Non-urgent civil matters (such as divorce proceedings) can have waiting times of several months. Check with your local law centre for current waiting times.
Can I choose my own solicitor with legal aid?
For civil legal aid through the Legal Aid Board, you are generally assigned a solicitor from the law centre. You cannot choose a private solicitor and have the Board pay them, except in certain cases (private practitioner scheme) where the Board contracts private solicitors in specific circumstances.
What if I disagree with the Legal Aid Board's means assessment?
You can request a review of the means assessment if you believe it is incorrect. Submit supporting documentation to your law centre. You can also appeal the decision to the Legal Aid Board's appeals process.
What is FLAC?
FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) is a separate NGO that provides free, confidential legal advice clinics throughout Ireland — typically through drop-in centres or phone services. It is not government-funded legal aid but can advise on whether you qualify for Legal Aid Board services or help with many legal queries directly. Find clinics at flac.ie.
- Civil legal aid is not completely free — there is a contribution of €30 (advice) to €650 (representation). It is not means-tested to zero cost.
- Criminal legal aid is completely separate — it is granted by a judge in court, not by the Legal Aid Board.
- Legal aid does not cover all types of cases — defamation, land boundary disputes, licensing, and small claims are excluded.
- You must apply before you need representation — there can be waiting lists. Do not wait until the court date to apply for civil legal aid.
- Non-EU nationals qualify for legal aid in Ireland — immigration status does not disqualify you from civil legal aid if you are ordinarily resident.
Related guides
This page was reviewed against official Legal Aid Board and Citizens Information guidance and updated to reflect 2026 civil legal aid eligibility and contribution rates.