Southerns Solicitors Limited

Defence representation for people arrested, charged, or facing prosecution, including police station, magistrates court, and Crown Court work.

Criminal legal aid covers the cost of a solicitor when you have been arrested, charged with a crime, or are facing prosecution. The duty solicitor scheme means anyone arrested can ask for a free solicitor at the police station regardless of income, with no means test. Once a case reaches court, eligibility for representation is means and merits tested.

Representation at Mental Health Tribunal hearings and related capacity matters.

Mental Health legal aid covers representation at Mental Health Tribunal hearings, where patients detained under the Mental Health Act can challenge their detention and treatment. It also covers Court of Protection cases concerning deprivation of liberty for people who lack capacity. Representation at tribunal is non-means-tested when challenging detention; other contexts are means tested.

Disputes over adult social care, support packages, and care home funding.

Community Care legal aid covers disputes about the social care services a local authority provides to adults with disabilities, mental health needs, or other long-term care needs. Common issues include assessment refusals, inadequate care packages, care home funding decisions, and disputes about ongoing care responsibilities. Cases are usually challenged through judicial review.

Civil claims against councils, the NHS, the police, or other public bodies for wrongful acts.

Claims Against Public Authorities covers civil compensation claims where a public body, such as a local council, the NHS, the police, or central government, has caused harm through misconduct, negligence, or breach of a duty. Examples include unlawful detention, social services failings, school exclusion errors, and serious data breaches by public bodies. Legal aid for these claims is means and merits tested.