Civil Legal Aid
Subsidised but in most cases not free. The advice contribution is from €30 and goes up to €150 depending on income. There is also an aid contribution for legal aid and it includes the advice contribution. The international protection contribution is €10.
Last checked October 2026
What it is
Subsidised legal advice and court representation in civil cases from the Legal Aid Board. In most cases it is not free: you pay a contribution, with the advice contribution starting at €30. To qualify your disposable income must be under €18,000 and your disposable capital under €100,000. A merits test also applies if you need court representation. The Department of Justice has said eligibility is expected to widen, but no date or new limits have been announced.
Who can get it
- Your disposable income, after allowances for certain expenses, is under €18,000
- Your disposable capital is below €100,000. The value of the family home is not counted
- For court representation, you pass the merits test, which asks whether an average person would go to court if paying with their own money
- It is subsidised but in most cases not free. You pay a contribution towards the advice and towards any legal aid you go on to get. The advice contribution is from €30, up to €150 depending on income.
- Certain allowances for expenses come off your income before the test, such as allowances for a spouse or partner, dependants, accommodation, childcare and income tax, PRSI and USC.
- No contribution is payable for Tusla care or supervision applications or for District Court barring, safety or protection orders. The Board lists a small number of other circumstances where no contribution is payable.
- A Department of Justice release of 8 October 2026 gave €14.5 million for civil legal aid reform, including widening eligibility. No date or new limits have been announced, so the limits above still apply.
- The online eligibility checker only indicates whether you might be eligible.
- Some kinds of case are excluded under the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, such as defamation, most disputes over rights in land and small claims. There are some exceptions, for example for certain home and tenancy disputes. Criminal matters are not covered.
How to apply
Apply online at legalaidboard.ie or contact your nearest Law Centre to have an application form sent to you. International protection applicants use a separate form. The online eligibility checker only indicates eligibility.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 29 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
Is civil legal aid free?
No. In most cases you pay a contribution, so it is subsidised and not free. The advice contribution is from €30, up to €150 depending on income.
What are the income and capital limits?
Your disposable income must be under €18,000 and your disposable capital below €100,000. The family home is not counted as capital.
Will the limits change?
The Department of Justice has said €14.5 million is going to civil legal aid reform, including widening eligibility. No date or new limits have been announced.
Related guides
- Carer's Allowance
- Carer's Support Grant
- Increase for a Qualified Adult
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Carer's Benefit
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