4. Do I need to pay my opponent's legal costs if I lose in the proceedings?
In general, you need not be personally liable for the legal costs of the other party incurred after the grant of the Legal Aid.
If the plaintiff in the proceedings has been granted Legal Aid but loses his case, the court will normally order that the legal costs of the successful defendant (incurred after the grant of the Legal Aid to the plaintiff) be paid by the Director of Legal Aid. If the defendant has been granted Legal Aid but loses his case, neither the defendant nor the Director of Legal Aid shall generally be liable for any costs of the successful plaintiff.
However if you obtain Legal Aid in the middle of the proceedings, you may be personally liable for the legal costs of the successful opponent incurred before the grant of the Legal Aid. It is therefore in your best interests to apply for Legal Aid as soon as possible.
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