How to Get Legal Advice for Free

Many of us find ourselves in need of legal assistance at some point in our lives. Whatever our reasons for it, the simple matter is that not all of us can afford the hefty fees that lawyers usually entail meaning that those who need help most are often the ones who miss out. Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can seek legal advice at a greatly reduced price or even completely free of charge; finally allowing you to learn how best to handle your situation.

Free consultations

In many cases, attorneys will offer free consultations to prospective clients. In their case, it is in the hope of representing you should you decide to proceed with legal action but in the case of the client; it simply provides a free way of obtaining advice from a professional. Best of all, you can set up free consultations with several lawyers, granting you the opportunity to gain several opinions and compare perspectives before reaching a decision. Even if a firm does not explicitly offer free consultations, there is no harm in explaining your situation and asking if they will meet with you.

Legal clinics

Sometimes specific courts or law firms will set up open clinics where members of the public can go, free of charge, to seek help and guidance. Make sure you check regularly to see if any of these useful drop-in centres are operating near you and you could just save yourself a fortune in legal bills.

Pro Bono

Pro bono is the term used to describe legal work carried out either free of charge or at least for a much lower price than usual. Often focussing around crucial matters like housing, employment, health and discrimination, pro bono is designed to help people on low incomes have wider access to legal assistance. Lawyers themselves have been known to voice a support in increased provision of this often invaluable service.

No win no fee

Also known as ‘conditional fee cases’; if a lawyer offers you their services on a ‘no win no fee’ basis then you often avoid having to pay any bills upfront and are only charged upon the successful outcome of your case. This way, if the law settles on the side of your opponent, you don’t have to part with your money. In some cases there will be separate costs that must be paid but these should always be made clear to you before you sign any contracts or agree to any deals.

Internet

The internet is great for researching exactly what online legal services are available to you and though you have to be wary of any information you find on the internet when dealing with formal matters, there are several websites and forums where people gather to exchange tips and pass on their experiences of the legal system, helping to guide others throughout their own cases. You may find that lawyers themselves often post on these sights as a means of showing their willingness to help. You can also use the internet to find any lawyers who offer free advice and contact them directly, cutting out the go-between and saving you both time and money.