Are foreigners entitled to legal aid for solicitor

hi guys
I first came into the UK when i was 2 years old, and since my parents travelled a lot as professors, we never really stayed here too long.

Finally I came back 5 years ago and have lived here ever since, however my wife who came to the UK 6 years ago for the first time, authorized the withdrawal of our tier 2 visa renewal for a UK work permit.

1. Which on paper makes me illegal
2. However I paid a solicitor to get in touch with the home office to notify them and have resent an appeal on compassionate grounds.

However am going through a divorce now and wondering if I can apply for legal aid ? and what grounds. Since I havent been working in the UK and cant afford the fees for a divorce and court order to see my child, as mediation did not work.

thanks
bebu

It sounds quite complicated, your best bet is to contact a solicitor that does legal aid work and ask them, get the yellow pages out, you could trawl through the LCS site but i doubt you will find a definitive answer.

I think you will find that unless you are a naturalised British citizen or have indefinite leave to remain you are not permitted to be come a burden to the state, i.e. receive benefits. I suspect legal aid counts as a benefit.