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Find a legal adviser

A legal adviser might be able to help you solve a problem, or give you advice about what to do next.

You can find and pay for a legal adviser yourself, or get help to pay if you’re eligible for legal aid.

You might also be able to get free or lower cost advice from a legal adviser.

Find a solicitor

You can get legal advice from a solicitor. They usually charge for their services.

A solicitor can also:

  • write legal documents like wills
  • research and prepare court cases
  • help to resolve disputes and disagreements
  • work with other legal professionals, for example hire a barrister to represent you in court (if needed)

Find a solicitor through:

You might be able to get help paying for a legal adviser such as a solicitor if you’re eligible for legal aid.

There’s a different way to get free legal advice in Scotland or free legal advice in Northern Ireland.

Legal aid can help you pay for the costs of a legal adviser, for example for:

  • legal advice out of court from a solicitor
  • representation in a court or tribunal by a barrister or solicitor

You’ll usually need to show that:

  • your case is eligible for legal aid
  • the problem is serious
  • you cannot pay for legal costs

Find out more about legal aid, and whether you’re eligible.

Legal aid can also cover the costs of family mediation to solve problems out of court.

A solicitor may be able to help you for free (also known as ‘pro bono’ work).

You can find a pro bono solicitor through a law clinic near you on the Law Works website. A law clinic usually also gives free initial advice.

If you’re on a low income, you can ask questions and get free legal answers from volunteer solicitors.

You can also search for local free or lower cost support on the Advice Local website.

Find a barrister

A barrister will usually be hired by a solicitor to represent you if a case goes to court. You may be able to contact a barrister without contacting a solicitor first if you live in England or Wales.

Find a barrister (known as an ‘advocate’ in Scotland) in your area through:

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Challenge and appeal a benefit decision: step by step

  1. Step 1 Find support and advice

    You can get free support and advice from:

    1. You are currently viewing: You can also seek advice from a legal adviser or solicitor

  2. Step 2 Ask for mandatory reconsideration

    1. Ask for the benefits decision to be looked at again (mandatory reconsideration)

    You normally need to do this within one month of the date on your decision letter.

  3. Step 3 Appeal the decision to a tribunal

    If you’re unhappy with the decision after mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal it to a tribunal.

    1. Appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal

  4. Step 4 Ask for the tribunal's decision to be 'set aside' (cancelled)

    If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for it to be set aside (cancelled). The decision letter from the tribunal will tell you how to do this.

  5. or Appeal the tribunal's decision

    If you think the decision was wrong for a legal reason, you can appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

    1. Appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)

  6. and Check if you can get legal aid

    You may be eligible for legal aid to help you appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

    1. Check if you can get legal aid