New Quick Guide on Legal Aid Published

We have today (15/07/25) published a new quick guide on legal aid in Scotland of things you need to know before applying.

At Shared Parenting Scotland, we regularly hear from parents who are struggling to access legal aid, with some telling us they’ve contacted 50 or 60 legal firms without success. 

Others find the application process for legal aid confusing or unclear. We raised these issues with the Equality, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee during their recent inquiry into legal aid, highlighting how the current system can leave families without the support they need. 

That’s why we’ve produced this simple, one-page visual guide explaining the difference between advice and assistance and civil legal aid, along with an outline of the key conditions for eligibility. This guide is designed to complement more detailed resources, such as those provided by the Scottish Legal Aid Board and will sit alongside our wider materials.

It reflects our ongoing commitment to helping mothers, fathers and grandparents navigate the family justice system and to improving access to justice for all.