Legal expenses

We find out, whether the client has a possibility to receive some form of legal protection benefit or legal aid from the state. However, the legal expenses insurance is primary in comparison to legal aid. We fill in all the necessary applications and deliver them duly onwards. In case the customer is not entitled to legal aid and he or she doesn’t have a legal expenses insurance that would cover the expenses, the fee is dictated by an hourly charge. 

The legal expenses insurance is included in most home insurances. The legal expenses insurance covers the legal expenses, with the exception of excess. The conditions and excesses (generally around 15-20%) vary depending on different insurance companies. 

Legal expenses can be compensated completely or partially by public funds. For instance the applicant’s income, the applicant’s expenses and assets, and in some cases even the financial situation of the applicant’s spouse, have an impact on whether legal aid is granted or not. Legal aid is granted if the applicant’s available funds are at the most 1 300 € per month or if the combined available funds of the spouses are the most 2 400 € per month. 

Legal aid can in some cases also be granted for the excess of the legal expenses insurance. 

In some cases, the suspect of a crime has the right to get a defense counsel for the preliminary investigation and for the trial paid by public funds. A defense counsel is appointed by the request of a suspect of a felony, or to an individual who is arrested or incarcerated. In these cases an individual receives a defense counsel regardless of his or her financial status. If said (or a) person is convicted of a crime, he or she must in some cases reimburse the defense counsel’s fee to the state. 

The victim of a crime, who is a victim of sex offense, domestic violence or some other offence against the person, is entitled to have a counsel or a support person for the preliminary investigation and for he trial, if the need arises. A counsel or a support person is appointed regardless of the victim’s income. Their fees and expenses are paid by public funds.