Modern Slavery legal aid in England and Wales
Modern Slavery legal aid is for people identified as potential victims of trafficking or modern slavery, including referral through the National Referral Mechanism, related immigration matters, and damages claims arising from their exploitation. The contract was significantly expanded after the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Providers on LawStreet
Offices on LawStreet
Postcode areas covered
Showing 283 of 508 Modern Slavery providers from the LAA's directory. Why?
About this category
What is Modern Slavery legal aid?
Who modern slavery legal aid is for
If you have been identified, or are being assessed, as a potential victim of trafficking or modern slavery in the UK, you may qualify for legal aid covering several distinct matters connected to that identification.
The starting point in most cases is the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the government process for identifying victims. Legal aid covers advice on the NRM process, representation in challenging a negative reasonable-grounds or conclusive-grounds decision, and follow-on legal needs that flow from the identification.
What's covered
Modern Slavery legal aid covers:
- NRM advice and challenge: getting referred into the NRM, understanding the decisions, challenging negative decisions by judicial review where appropriate.
- Immigration matters arising from trafficking: leave to remain on the basis of being a confirmed victim, asylum claims where the trafficking links to a protection need, related family reunion.
- Damages claims against perpetrators where civil compensation is possible.
- Related public-law challenges against decisions about support, accommodation, or other services for confirmed or potential victims.
The Modern Slavery contract is a dedicated category in its own right (distinct from general immigration legal aid) and has its own annual matter starts allocation. Most firms holding the contract are specialist providers with significant experience supporting trafficking survivors.
How to access modern slavery legal aid
If you've been referred into the NRM, the organisation supporting you (often called a "First Responder", such as a local authority, the Salvation Army, or a specialist NGO) can usually point you to a solicitor with a Modern Slavery contract. The Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline (08000 121 700) is another route to identification and support.
If you haven't yet been referred but believe you've been a victim of trafficking, contact a specialist provider directly. They can advise on whether referral into the NRM is appropriate and what legal aid is available.
Find a solicitor
Featured Modern Slavery providers
A selection of firms on our platform holding an active Modern Slavery contract. View the full list of Modern Slavery solicitors with legal aid.
Where they are based
Modern Slavery providers by region
Listed Modern Slavery providers grouped by region and postcode area. Counts show distinct providers with at least one office in that area.
East Midlands 20
East of England 32
North East 13
South West 18
West Midlands 40
Yorkshire and The Humber 47
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
The NRM is the UK government framework for identifying potential victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, and making sure they receive appropriate protection and support. Referral is made by designated "First Responders" (police, local authorities, certain NGOs); the Home Office makes a "reasonable grounds" decision within 5 working days and a "conclusive grounds" decision later. Legal aid is available throughout the process.
No. Modern Slavery legal aid covers anyone in the UK identified or being assessed as a potential victim, regardless of nationality or immigration status.
Yes, that's covered too. Modern slavery is not limited to international trafficking; it covers UK-internal exploitation, labour exploitation, criminal exploitation (including county-lines), and other forms.
Yes. Legal aid covers advice on the decision, requesting reconsideration, and (in appropriate cases) judicial review challenging the decision. Time limits apply, so contact a Modern Slavery legal aid solicitor as soon as possible after a negative decision.
The Legal Aid Agency allocates each contracted firm a number of new cases they can take on per year for Modern Slavery work. Most firms have a default allocation of 75 matter starts; some have higher or lower numbers. The allocation is administrative; it doesn't affect what an individual victim can access, but it does mean some firms run out of capacity before year-end.