Justice For Families

Hi can some one explain the process of getting a Barrister on a pro bono basis, now that legal aid is cut and I am finding out some parents are having to go self lit if one partner starts divorce then the other one has to pay if they just earn too much etc, so it would be good to know how to tap into the pro bono service.

You are not suppose to contact them directly & are told to contact them through citizens advice etc

But you can contact them directly via their website or phone for an application form, I did as the citizens advice said they never heard of them

http://www.barprobono.org.uk

Thank you Andrew

it is very difficult to get a pro bono barrister instructed.

We do not qualify for legal aid and the pro bono barristers rejected our claim because we have not explored all avenues.

The bar pro bono unit told us that we had to get a rejection of legal aid type document from a solicitor.

Every solicitor we phoned would not take us through the official legal aid process because as soon as I told them my earnings they said "you won't qualify". I told them on many occasions that we need some sort of official rejection from a solicitor and each solicitor told me there was no point in taking me through the process.

I told the bar pro bono unit this and they would not budge.
They also told me I could remortgage my home in order to pay for a solicitor (even though the equity in my home does not exceed 100k i.e. the threshold for legal aid requirements).

So with respect, good luck.....I found them to be very unhelpful, sympathetic but a complete waste of time.
I can also tell you a little secret - please PM me