Civil Litigation

	Some problems can be dealt with without going to Court and Legal Advice and Assistance may be suitable. The Solicitor advising your will enquire about the money you have received over the last week and if you have any savings then we will be able to tell you if you qualify for advice and if you have to contribute something towards your legal costs.
	If you are on Income Support or Job Seeker's Allowance you will qualify but otherwise you may have to pay something towards Legal Aid. Legal Aid will cover the whole of your Solicitor's bill unless you require to pay a contribution or you get some money, as a result the Legal Aid Board may ask you to pay his or her bill out of any money won.
	Advice and Assistance does not cover your Solicitor appearing in Court to represent your case and if your case is going to Court you need Civil Legal Aid. Actions, which qualify, include divorce, accidents, and payment actions. Defamation, small claims and simplified divorces may not.
	The Scottish Legal Aid Board will inform you of their decision and why. If you believe that the decision is wrong, your Solicitor can appeal against their decision.
	The Scottish Legal Aid Board will pay the costs of your own Solicitor but you may have to pay the legal costs of the other party if you lose the case. If you qualify for Legal Aid you may not have to pay the full amount if your Solicitor states to the Court that you are receiving help. If the case appears in Court and you agree to pay the other sides expenses, you will require to pay their costs in full.

	Civil litigation is the method of resolving disputes or claims by individuals, companies, local authorities and Government.
	Generally such matters fall into two categories (One) Contractual disputes arising from an agreement between two or more parties; (Two) Damages claims arising from a "wrong" done by one person to another, either recklessly or negligently. Disputes based on contract range from the relatively minor case of the purchase of consumer products to multi-million pound claims arising as a result of clauses in a building contract. Civil wrongs include cases for damage to persons, property and reputation.
	If you are involved in a dispute with another party we can advise you on your chances of success, and the possible consequences. We can negotiate on your behalf, and if necessary, commence action according to the subject matter and the amount of the claim in either the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.
	Subject to certain conditions Legal Aid may be available to assist your costs of presenting your case.