Computation of disposable capital, disposable income and maximum contribution4.
(1)
Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, the assessment officer shall–
(a)
take into account the financial resources of the person concerned; and
(b)
compute his income and capital in accordance with Schedules 2 and 3;
and, in these Regulations, “disposable income” and “disposable capital” mean the amounts of income and capital available for the making of a contribution after the person concerned’s income and capital have been computed in accordance with those Schedules.
(2)
Legal aid shall be available to a person whose disposable income does not exceed £6,035 a year but a person may be refused legal aid where–
(a)
his disposable capital exceeds £6,000; and
(b)
it appears to the Area Director that he could afford to proceed without legal aid.
(3)
The maximum contribution which a person who desires to receive legal aid shall be liable to make is–
(a)
where his disposable income exceeds £2,515 a year, a contribution in respect of disposable income not greater than one quarter of the excess;
(b)
where his disposable capital exceeds £3,000, a contribution in respect of disposable capital not greater than the excess.