Where to get free or affordable legal help in England and Wales: legal aid and Civil Legal Advice, Citizens Advice, Law Centres, pro bono clinics, Acas, insurance cover, fixed-fee lawyers and court support.
Legal advice can be expensive, but many people can get free or low-cost help, especially for common problems such as housing, debt, employment, benefits and family issues. Knowing where to look first can save money and stress. This guide covers England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate systems.
1. Legal aid
Legal aid can pay for legal advice, mediation and representation in some cases, if your problem is in scope and you meet financial eligibility rules. It is available, for example, for:
- housing problems such as eviction, homelessness and serious disrepair;
- family cases involving domestic abuse or child protection;
- some debt cases, where your home is at risk;
- discrimination;
- criminal cases, where advice at the police station is free for everyone.
Use the GOV.UK legal aid checker. Civil Legal Advice offers free, confidential advice by phone if you're eligible, for debt, housing, discrimination, education and some family problems.
2. Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice offers free, independent advice on consumer issues, debt, benefits, employment, housing and more, online, by phone and in person. Its website has detailed guides and template letters.
3. Law Centres
Law Centres are not-for-profit legal practices providing free advice and representation, mostly in social welfare law. The Law Centres Network lists centres across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
4. Pro bono help
- LawWorks runs free legal advice clinics with volunteer lawyers.
- Advocate finds free representation from volunteer barristers for people who can't afford it and can't get legal aid; you usually need a referral.
- University law clinics offer free advice from supervised law students.
5. Employment problems: Acas
Acas gives free, impartial advice on workplace rights by phone and online. Before most employment tribunal claims, you must notify Acas for early conciliation, which is free.
6. Specialist charities
Many charities offer free advice in specific areas, such as housing (Shelter), debt (StepChange, National Debtline), disability, immigration and domestic abuse. Trade unions provide legal help to members on employment issues.
7. Legal expenses insurance
Check your home, car and other insurance policies. Many include legal expenses cover, which can pay for advice or representation in disputes such as employment, consumer or neighbour problems. There's often a legal helpline too.
8. Affordable paid options
- Free initial consultations: some solicitors offer a short free first meeting.
- Fixed fees: ask for a fixed price for defined work, such as reviewing a contract or writing a letter.
- Unbundled services: pay a lawyer for parts of a case, such as advice or drafting, while handling the rest yourself.
- Direct access barristers: some barristers can be instructed directly without a solicitor.
- No win, no fee: common in personal injury; read the terms carefully, as a share of compensation is usually deducted.
Check a solicitor is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
9. Help at court
Support Through Court helps people without lawyers in some courts, with practical and emotional support. Courts also provide information on representing yourself, and in some hearings you can bring a "McKenzie friend" to support you.
10. Resolving disputes without court
Mediation and ombudsman schemes can resolve many disputes more cheaply than court: for example, the Financial Ombudsman, the Housing Ombudsman and energy and communications ombudsmen. Small claims are designed for people without lawyers.
Frequently asked questions
Is advice from Citizens Advice legal advice?
It's expert advice on rights and options, and it can refer you to solicitors when needed.
Can I get legal aid for a divorce?
Usually not, unless there's evidence of domestic abuse or child protection issues. Mediation may be funded.
Sources and further reading
- GOV.UK: Check if you can get legal aid
- GOV.UK: Civil Legal Advice
- Citizens Advice
- Law Centres Network
- LawWorks
- Advocate
- Acas
Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.