# Legal aid: where to ask for initial advice in Belgium

Canonical: https://ailawyer.be/en/droit-simplement/aide-juridique-premiere-deuxieme-ligne/
Language: en
Publisher: Mashaah LLC / AILawyer.be
Published: 2026-09-27T11:00:00+02:00
Updated: 2026-09-27T11:00:00+02:00

Need advice or a lawyer but worried about the cost? Distinguish initial guidance, representation by a lawyer and procedural expenses.

Sources consulted: 2026-09-27

## Understand the rule

First-line legal aid provides free initial legal information. Second-line aid can provide fully or partly funded lawyer assistance subject to conditions. Assistance with court expenses is a separate matter.



## Prepare your next steps


- Summarise the issue, record when the latest letter arrived and note any scheduled hearing.
- Gather key papers and, for second-line aid, the income and household evidence requested by the relevant office.
- Contact a first-line service or legal aid office. Mention an approaching deadline or hearing immediately.


## Practical example

Fictional example: you receive a summons about a disputed debt. A one-page payment and correspondence timeline helps the consultation. Bring the full summons too.



## What to check

Financial conditions change and eligibility cannot always be inferred from salary alone. Use the office’s current thresholds and document requirements.



### Does legal aid make everything free?

Not necessarily. Funding may be partial and some expenses fall under a separate procedure. Ask exactly what is covered.

## Sources

- [SPF Justice — Besoin d’un avis juridique](https://www.justice.belgium.be/fr/besoin_dun_avis_juridique)
- [Cours et tribunaux — Justice de paix](https://www.tribunaux-rechtbanken.be/fr/le-systeme-judiciaire-belge/justice-de-paix)

General information, not personalised legal advice. Verify jurisdiction, applicable date and the primary source before acting.