Looking for help in your family court proceedings?Bridge The Gap is a free, community-built guide to UK family court, written by litigants and McKenzie Friends, for litigants. Real observations, plain English, and people who can help.
Assumption: "If I qualify for legal aid, it will cover my case from start to finish without interruption."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
Legal aid eligibility at the outset means guaranteed, uninterrupted funding through the entire case.
Court Reality
Legal aid in family proceedings has been severely restricted since LASPO 2012, and the number of providers has shrunk year on year. As of 2026, almost one in four people in England and Wales live in a legal aid desert with no provider available. Certificates are queried and delayed, and when funding lapses — even temporarily — a solicitor working under legal aid may be unable to continue on your file. Qualifying at the start does not guarantee uninterrupted cover.
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Bridge The Gap
Qualify for legal aid? It can still lapse mid-case. Almost one in four people now live in a legal aid desert with no provider available.
If I qualify for legal aid, it will cover my case from start to finish without interruption.
Reality
Legal aid in family proceedings has been severely restricted since LASPO 2012, and the number of providers has shrunk year on year.
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