Your career in legal aid

Are you interested in:

Changing peoples lives?
Defending human rights?
Helping real people overcome real problems?

A career in legal aid is rewarding, stimulating and meaningful - and you can make a real difference to people’s lives. Every day is different.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid has been helping people protect their rights for 60 years. 2009 is the 60th anniversary of the passing of the Legal Aid and Advice Act 1949, which created the legal aid system.

Since 1949, Legal aid has expanded considerably, from primarily funding post-war divorces to a scheme that today helps over two million people a year with a budget of £2 billion.

In thousands of locations around the country people who are experiencing difficulties in their lives will be contacting solicitors firms and advice organisations. They will need high quality help and advice from a trained legal aid lawyer or caseworker.

A career in legal aid, helping some of the most vulnerable people in society, can be worthwhile and interesting. You could help people:

Whose liberty is at stake
Who risk losing their home
Facing debt problems
With mental health problems
In vulnerable situations such as domestic violence
Get through family break-ups.

See our Legal Aid is 60 website to learn more about the history of legal aid and what it has achieved.

>back to top

Last updated: 15 October 2009