Legal aid
What if I don't have money for a lawyer?
Free legal aid:
If Gardaí arrest someone, they will tell them why they are doing that. They will only use force to arrest someone if it is necessary. Gardaí bring anyone they arrest to a Garda Station. If the person arrested has poor English, the Garda will provide an interpreter. Anyone arrested has the right to a solicitor. If a Garda has got a warrant against someone, they may enter the premises (the place) where they expect the person to be. If entry is refused, the officer may break open the outer and inner doors to get in. Once a Garda charges and cautions someone, they must then transfer them to a district court, where the judge will order that they are either released on bail or remanded in custody (held in captivity). In Ireland, if you cannot afford legal representation, the state will pay for your representation. This means that you engage the Legal Aid Board to act on your behalf in the proceedings. They will draft court documents, give advice and send correspondence on your behalf.
Solicitors are usually your first point of contact when involved in court proceedings. They may represent you in court, but will usually instruct a barrister to represent you in higher courts. In order to qualify for legal aid you must pass a means test – that means your income will be assessed. You will have to make a minimum financial contribution. The means test is conducted in the law centre at Unit F, Locke Quay, (Clare Street), Limerick, phone (061) 314599; www.legalaidboard.ie
Criminal legal aid, unlike civil legal aid, is completely free. Someone receives criminal legal aid when they have a constitutional right to legal representation but do not have the money to pay for it.
Free Legal Advice Clinics are available by appointment at Limerick Citizens Information Centre, 54 Catherine Street, Limerick on Wednesday nights between 7.30pm – 9.00pm.
Free Family Law Service is available by appointment at Limerick Citizens Information Centre on Thursday mornings between 10.00am – 12.30pm.
Limerick Citizens Information Centre may be contacted on 0761 07 5780 during office hours.
Refugee legal service
Asylum seekers can access a dedicated legal service called the Refugee Legal Service (RLS). The RLS will represent and guide you in your application to be recognised as a refugee. There is a small registration fee to engage their services.
Refugee Legal Service – Dublin
48/49 North Brunswick ,Street, Georges Lane,
Dublin 7.
Tel: (01) 646 9600
Fax: (01) 671 0200
Email: [email protected]
Refugee Legal Service - Cork
North Quay House,
Popes Quay,
Cork.
Tel: (021) 4554634
Fax: (021) 4557622
Email: [email protected]
Refugee Legal Service – Galway
Seville House,
New Dock Road,
Galway.
Tel: (091) 562480
Fax: (091)562599
Email: [email protected]
Address: Doras Luimní, Central Buildings, 51a O'Connell Street, Limerick.
Telephone: 061 310 328
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 061 609 960
For queries or appointments please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone on 061 310 328 and our reception team will direct your inquiry to the relevant staff member.
What if I don't have money for a lawyer?
Free legal aid:
If Gardaí arrest someone, they will tell them why they are doing that. They will only use force to arrest someone if it is necessary. Gardaí bring anyone they arrest to a Garda Station. If the person arrested has poor English, the Garda will provide an interpreter. Anyone arrested has the right to a solicitor. If a Garda has got a warrant against someone, they may enter the premises (the place) where they expect the person to be. If entry is refused, the officer may break open the outer and inner doors to get in. Once a Garda charges and cautions someone, they must then transfer them to a district court, where the judge will order that they are either released on bail or remanded in custody (held in captivity). In Ireland, if you cannot afford legal representation, the state will pay for your representation. This means that you engage the Legal Aid Board to act on your behalf in the proceedings. They will draft court documents, give advice and send correspondence on your behalf.
Solicitors are usually your first point of contact when involved in court proceedings. They may represent you in court, but will usually instruct a barrister to represent you in higher courts. In order to qualify for legal aid you must pass a means test – that means your income will be assessed. You will have to make a minimum financial contribution. The means test is conducted in the law centre at Unit F, Locke Quay, (Clare Street), Limerick, phone (061) 314599; www.legalaidboard.ie
Criminal legal aid, unlike civil legal aid, is completely free. Someone receives criminal legal aid when they have a constitutional right to legal representation but do not have the money to pay for it.
Free Legal Advice Clinics are available by appointment at Limerick Citizens Information Centre, 54 Catherine Street, Limerick on Wednesday nights between 7.30pm – 9.00pm.
Free Family Law Service is available by appointment at Limerick Citizens Information Centre on Thursday mornings between 10.00am – 12.30pm.
Limerick Citizens Information Centre may be contacted on 0761 07 5780 during office hours.
Refugee legal service
Asylum seekers can access a dedicated legal service called the Refugee Legal Service (RLS). The RLS will represent and guide you in your application to be recognised as a refugee. There is a small registration fee to engage their services.
Refugee Legal Service – Dublin
48/49 North Brunswick ,Street, Georges Lane,
Dublin 7.
Tel: (01) 646 9600
Fax: (01) 671 0200
Email: [email protected]
Refugee Legal Service - Cork
North Quay House,
Popes Quay,
Cork.
Tel: (021) 4554634
Fax: (021) 4557622
Email: [email protected]
Refugee Legal Service – Galway
Seville House,
New Dock Road,
Galway.
Tel: (091) 562480
Fax: (091)562599
Email: [email protected]
Address: Doras Luimní, Central Buildings, 51a O'Connell Street, Limerick.
Telephone: 061 310 328
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 061 609 960
For queries or appointments please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone on 061 310 328 and our reception team will direct your inquiry to the relevant staff member.