legal aid

Definition

Free or inexpensive legal advice, assistance, or representation provided to those who, because to their financial condition, otherwise would not be able to get. Legal aid schemes usually require that the matter for which aid is requested must have at least a 50 percent chance of succeeding in the court. Commonly, legal aid cannot be availed-of where (1) alternative funding is available to the party requesting it, (2) the case is likely to be heard by the small claims court, (3) the case involves corporate matters, or (4) involves administration of trusts, inheritance and wills, and/or land ownership.