Vanessa Ash & Associates is a private legal firm and in certain circumstances you may be eligible for legal aid and other services and grants.

     Legal Aid
Vanessa Ash also accepts legal aid cases – we can apply for legal aid on your behalf (with conditions, naturally) in summary charges.

     Grant of Legal Assistance
A Grant of Legal Assistance means funds are used to pay Victoria Legal Aid lawyers or Vanessa Ash.

     Applying for a Legal Assistance Grant
An application form must be filled out, which Vanessa Ash can help you with. You will need proof of income (pay slips or Centrelink benefits), and a bank statement for the past three months.

     Who can get a grant
There are strict rules about who can and can’t get a grant. The elements considered are what you want the legal assistance for, your chances of winning the case, if helping with your case will benefit the public, and your financial situation.

A means test will examine, in detail, your financial situation – any income, work, benefits, assets (car, home, anything of value that you own), living expenses, and who you care for, or conversely, who cares for you.

     Grant conditions
If something changes that affects your eligibility, you must tell Vanessa Ash immediately.

     The Legal Aid Act 1978 – VLA gets the payout
A lawyer (Vanessa Ash) who acts for you is authorised by law to give VLA the information it needs to perform its functions. Costs awarded to you (if that happens), are to be paid to VLA. Vanessa Ash gets paid by VLA directly, and it is illegal for a private lawyer to ask you to pay for any work done via legal aid.

Write your own story. Call Vanessa Ash and Associates today.