info The Courts Service cannot give legal advice
Courts Service staff can help you with court forms and procedures, but they cannot advise you on your case or represent you in court.
You can represent yourself in court. However, you should consider getting legal advice before you do. A legal professional can help you understand the law, how the courts work, and whether there are ways to resolve your case without a court hearing, such as mediation.
If you cannot afford a solicitor, you may qualify for legal aid. There are two separate types of legal aid, depending on your case:
- Criminal legal aid — if you have been charged with a criminal offence. You apply in court and the judge decides.
- Civil legal aid — for civil cases, such as family law. You apply to the Legal Aid Board.
What a solicitor can do for you
A solicitor can:
- Advise you on your legal rights and your options, including mediation and other ways to reach an agreement
- Explain the law and court procedures
- Prepare and file court documents for you
- Communicate with the other people involved in your case
- Represent you and speak on your behalf in court
In some cases, your solicitor may engage a barrister to represent you in court, particularly in the higher courts.
Private solicitors charge fees, which you agree with them directly. You should ask about costs at the start. If you cannot afford a solicitor, the schemes and organisations below may be able to help.
Criminal legal aid
If you have been charged with a criminal offence and cannot afford legal representation, you can apply for criminal legal aid. Criminal legal aid is not provided by the Legal Aid Board. You apply to the court:
- In person, on the day you attend court, or
- By writing to the Court Registrar or Court Clerk before your court date
The judge decides whether to grant criminal legal aid. You must show the court that you cannot afford to pay for legal representation yourself, and the court will consider the seriousness of the charge. If the judge grants your application, you will be issued a legal aid certificate covering the cost of a solicitor and, in certain circumstances, barristers to prepare and conduct your defence.
If you attend court on a criminal charge without a legal representative, the court should make you aware that you may be entitled to apply for criminal legal aid.
You can read more about criminal legal aid on the Citizens Information website (opens in a new tab).
Other criminal legal aid schemes
The Legal Aid Board administers three separate schemes on behalf of the Department of Justice:
- The Garda Station Legal Advice Revised Scheme — free legal advice if you are detained in a Garda station and satisfy a means test
- The Legal Aid – Custody Issues Scheme — legal representation in certain cases such as bail applications in the High Court, extradition, European Arrest Warrant and habeas corpus proceedings
- The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) Ad-hoc Legal Aid Scheme — legal representation in certain proceedings involving the Criminal Assets Bureau
You can read more about these schemes on the Legal Aid Board website (opens in a new tab).
Civil legal aid
The Legal Aid Board (opens in a new tab) provides legal advice and representation in civil cases, such as family law, to people who qualify. Civil legal aid is means tested, and you will usually pay a contribution towards the cost. Only the Legal Aid Board can grant civil legal aid — you do not apply to the court, and a judge cannot grant it.
To apply, contact your nearest law centre. You can find your nearest law centre (opens in a new tab) on the Legal Aid Board website.
The Legal Aid Board also provides a free family mediation service (opens in a new tab), which can help separating couples reach agreement without going to court.
Free legal information and advice
Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC)
FLAC (opens in a new tab) is an independent voluntary organisation that provides free, confidential basic legal information through its telephone information line, and a limited number of free legal advice appointments in conjunction with Citizens Information Services. FLAC does not represent people in court and does not operate the civil legal aid scheme.
Citizens Information
Citizens Information (opens in a new tab) provides free information on the law, the courts, and legal aid, online, by phone, and at local centres.
Law Society of Ireland
The Law Society of Ireland's Find a Solicitor directory (opens in a new tab) lists practising solicitors by location and area of law.
Information for legal practitioners
Solicitors seeking to join the Criminal Legal Aid Panel should see Apply to join the Criminal Legal Aid Panel.
