A Costs Lawyer’s Role in Civil Legal Aid

Every nation faces problems in unequal justice systems. Almost 50% of convicted or victimized poor masses face civil cases not knowing what they’re up against because of lack of information and advice, and some just give up because they can’t afford representation. And because not all of them get the chance to be enlightened in their current situation, they just drop the case defenseless or settle for something so much lesser than they should get.

Upon seeing this problem, in the United States for example, the Legal Service Corporation together with other bar associates helps fund legal aid and legal advice for low-income masses. A similar legal service is being offered to citizens who are less capable of paying for a private lawyer.

Costs lawyers first and foremost help people who have the right of audience or legal representation and take care of costs as allowed and stated in statutes and the law. It is their duty to make sure that claimants and defendants only have to pay reasonable and minimal costs as stated courts. A costs lawyer also evaluates the eligibility of the client, and the extent of what he can claim for the case. They have the same powers as that of a solicitor or a barrister.

Legal aid has been facing problems though, of having lower budget support from the government from what it is currently getting. In April 1, the Legal Aid Agency headed the LAPSO reforms with regards to eligibility of legal air claimants and the covered criminal and civil cases. Now, only the “poorest of poor” can ask for civil legal aid. Also, cases for legal aid services have been limited to special educational needs, clinical negligence where an infant suffered from injuries resulting to pregnancy difficulties, public family law cases, exploitation, and such.
There are still hopes of having a wider cover for special legal aid to help out more of the poor people’s cases.

Self Help Approach by Government for Family Justice to involve Law Cost Draftsman

The United Kingdom government just revolutionized family justice by encouraging self help approach for legal aid. I have seen how this puts families and practicing family lawyers in a tough spot as they find themselves fielding would-be client questions.

The self-help in family law within the UK has left people walking blindly, without the aid of professional help. This not only makes it harder for them to make decisions, but it is also clogging up the courts by individuals who have decided to go with the system. Although there is do-it-yourself legal support, the fact is that not everyone is equipped to understand these terminologies – something a professional legal aid can easily explain.

The government’s one-size-fits-all solution for the family justice may sound good for some but bad for others. Considering the fact that every situation is different, it isn’t surprising that many people are hurting over the changes. Pretty soon, only those who are at a sorely limited position will be able to access legal aid. This is a huge setback from the times when legal aid for families was accessible to everyone. Those who aren’t capable of paying for the service were still given one-on-one aid for free while mid-range clients managed to obtain help at a reasonable cost. Nowadays, more and more are declining the idea thinking that family legal aid may be too expensive for them.

With information regarding family law becoming harder and harder to obtain, couples are advised to obtain published books about the situation to gain more insight. Those who are dead set on pursuing divorce or annulments should try consulting a law cost draftsman to at least have some idea on the money-issues involving their decision. This is especially true for alimony problems which tend to be expensive depending on the situation of the couple. Although a law cost draftsman will mostly be concerned on the necessary expenses on the procedure, this can still offer significant insight on the situation – allowing couples to make the right decisions fitting their problem. Try browsing only for an acceptable law cost draftsman who can at least get you started in pursuing legal costs and how to make them smaller.