Can you get a free lawyer for a family case?
Legal Aid Act, 2016 and National Legal Aid Service · sources read 4 Oct 2026
The Legal Aid Act says the National Legal Aid Service (NLAS) gives legal aid at the State's expense in civil and children matters, not only criminal cases, so family cases can qualify. You must be resident in Kenya and unable to afford a lawyer (NLAS uses an income below KSh 30,000 a month), and NLAS decides within 48 hours.
- How long
- NLAS decides within 48 hours of receiving your application.
- Deadline
- NLAS must decide on your application within 48 hours of receiving it (Legal Aid Act, s.44(3)).
- Where
- Apply to the National Legal Aid Service online (nlas.go.ke) or at any NLAS office.
What you need
- Proof of income, or a sworn affidavit if you have none
Steps
- Fill the NLAS legal aid application form online or at any NLAS office.
- Attach proof of income, or swear an affidavit if you have no proof.
- You can apply at any stage of the case, as long as the court has not made its final decision.
- If NLAS says no, it must give reasons, and you can ask for a review or appeal.
Watch out
- Not every civil case qualifies: tax, debt recovery, defamation and bankruptcy cases are left out.
- Qualifying on income is not enough. NLAS also weighs things like whether your case has a chance of success.
- NLAS checks your finances before giving any help.
Who this covers
- People living in Kenya who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Kenyan citizens, children, refugees, victims of human trafficking, internally displaced and stateless people.
- NLAS currently counts a monthly income below KSh 30,000 as eligible.
- A child under 16 who has no lawyer in a Children's Court case: the court must order legal representation for them under the Legal Aid Act.
- A child accused of breaking the law is entitled to a lawyer at the State's expense.
Official sources (4)
- Legal Aid Act, 2016 (No. 6 of 2016) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Legal Aid nlas.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- The Children Act, 2022 (No. 29 of 2022), Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 119 childrenservices.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Legal Aid Act, No. 6 of 2016 (Revised Edition 2017) nlas.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026