legal aid

American

noun

free legal service to persons unable to pay for a lawyer.

legal aid British

noun

a means-tested benefit in the form of financial assistance for persons to meet the cost of advice and representation in legal proceedings

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of legal aid

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Defence barristers in Northern Ireland began an indefinite strike last month in a long-running dispute over the level of legal aid fees they receive.

From BBC

It has stalled almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland where the defendant requires legal aid.

From BBC

Barristers in Northern Ireland are protesting over the level of legal aid fees they receive for assisting defendants in criminal trials.

From BBC

They claimed that a crisis had developed in the justice system due to the low rates of pay, with younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases.

From BBC

On Thursday, Long said: "We cannot continue to hold these cases hostage while we have a discussion about legal aid fees. It isn't ethical and it isn't appropriate."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023