Finding legal advice

Depending on your situation, you might be able to get free legal advice, or help to cover some of your legal costs.

Where can I get free legal advice?

Depending on the advice you need, you might be able to access it for free.

Some of the organisations listed below can give you free initial legal advice, before helping you decide what to do next. Others may be able to help with more complex cases – and even represent you at a tribunal.

1. Citizens Advice offers free advice on a wide range of issues, including benefits, housing and employment. They can help over the phone or in person at one of their centres. You can find your local Citizens Advice centre on their website.
2. Law centres offer free legal advice in centres across the country. They help with a range of issues – from benefits and employment to housing to immigration and seeking asylum. You can find a list of law centres on the Law Centres Network website.
3. Trade unions can offer free legal advice – and not just about employment issues. To find out more, get in touch with your union representative.

Can Age UK help?

Age UK doesn't offer legal advice – but, through our Advice Line or through your local Age UK, we can point you to trusted sources of specialist information and advice to help you with your situation.

Our free national Advice Line is open from 8am to 7pm, 365 days a year. To speak to someone, just call 0800 678 1602.

Or, if you'd prefer to talk to someone in person, your local Age UK can help. They'll also have their own information and advice service, which can help you with things like benefits, debt, housing and health.

Can I get help with legal costs?

Legal aid can sometimes help with the cost of legal advice or bringing a case to a tribunal. It’s not available to everyone – it’s only for eligible cases, and only if you have a low income. Eligible cases might include:

• someone at risk of losing their home
• someone experiencing discrimination.

Find out more about legal aid on GOV.UK

How do I find a solicitor?

If an advice agency or free service can’t help, you might need to pay to get advice from a private solicitor. This could be for making a will or setting up a power of attorney, for instance, or buying or selling a house.

Different solicitors specialise in different areas of law. To get started:

1. Search for solicitors using the directory on the Law Society website.

2. Call a few to compare the services they offer – and don’t forget to ask them about their fees so you can compare these too.

3. Before you hire them, check a solicitor’s record using the Solicitors Register on the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority website.

If you aren’t happy with the service you get from a solicitor, you can make a complaint. You should complain to the solicitor’s firm directly first. However, if you feel that your complaint isn’t resolved, get in touch with the Legal Ombudsman, who can investigate complaints about solicitors. Their service is free and independent.

Find out more about making a complain on the Legal Ombudsman website