Free legal advice in Northern Ireland

If you're looking for free legal advice after separation in Northern Ireland, Advice NI can give you independent advice on your rights, and nidirect is the government's hub where you'll find information on family, courts and benefits. The Children's Law Centre NI also offers free legal information and advice on family and contact matters through their CHALKY advice line, particularly if you need support around children's issues.

Before heading to court, it's worth knowing that Family Mediation NI and Relate NI both offer family mediation services to help separated parents work out arrangements for children, finances and property without needing to go to court. Getting in touch with any of these services is a good first step to understanding what help is available to you.

Northern Ireland has its own legal aid system, run separately from the rest of the UK, and family cases sit firmly within it. There is help at two levels, advice from a solicitor and funding for court representation, plus something many parents miss entirely; a completely free mediation service you can use before anyone goes near a courtroom.

• Legal advice and assistance lets a solicitor advise you on any area of Northern Ireland law, including family matters, and draft documents, write letters and negotiate on your behalf; it is means tested with a capped contribution (nidirect.gov.uk).
• Separate civil legal aid funds representation in court, including cases involving children, non-molestation orders and paternity in the magistrates' courts; the Legal Services Agency Northern Ireland decides funding for the higher courts (nidirect.gov.uk).
• Pre-court family mediation from Family Mediation NI and Barnardos is a free service that helps separated parents reach agreement about children, finance and property (nidirect.gov.uk).
• Parents often assume mediation always costs money; in Northern Ireland the free pre-court service is additional to court-directed mediation, which is funded by legal aid or paid for by participants (nidirect.gov.uk).
• For free independent advice before taking any legal action, nidirect points to Advice NI, and suggests trying mediation or a complaints route before court (nidirect.gov.uk).

Checked August 2026 against nidirect.gov.uk.

Good advice early on can save time, money and stress. Many services offer a free first appointment or means-tested legal aid.

• Bring key dates, any court papers, and a short summary of what you want to resolve.
• Ask about costs up front, and whether legal aid or free help is available.
• An information service can explain your options before you pay for a solicitor.