118.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who is the subject of an application for a civil order may be granted a certificate for free legal aid (in this Part referred to as a “legal aid (civil order) certificate”) in preparation for and representation at the hearing of—

(a) the application,

(b) an application by the person to vary or discharge a civil order,

(c) any appeal by the person against the making of the civil order, and

(d) any proceedings in the High Court or Supreme Court arising out of the making of the application, the appeal or any subsequent proceedings.

(2) A legal aid (civil order) certificate may not be granted under subsection (1) unless it appears to the court hearing the application for the certificate that—

(a) the means of the person concerned are insufficient to enable that person to obtain legal aid, and

(b) by reason of the gravity of the behaviour alleged to be anti-social or of exceptional circumstances, it is essential in the interests of justice that the person should have legal aid in preparation for and representation at the hearing concerned.

(3) A person who is granted a legal aid (civil order) certificate is entitled—

(a) to free legal aid in preparation for and representation at the hearing of the application for a civil order and any proceedings referred to in subsection (1)(b) , (c) and (d), and

(b) to have, in such manner as may be prescribed,

(i) a solicitor assigned to the person in relation to the application for the civil order or any application to vary or discharge it,

(ii) a solicitor assigned to the person in relation to any other such proceedings, and

(iii) if the court granting the certificate considers it appropriate, a counsel assigned to the person in relation to proceedings referred to in subparagraph (ii).

(4) If a legal aid (civil order) certificate is granted, any fees, costs or other expenses properly incurred in preparation for and representation at the proceedings concerned shall, subject to regulations under section 119, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.

(5) A person applying for a legal aid (civil order) certificate may be required by the court granting the certificate to furnish a written statement of the person’s means.

(6) A person who, for the purpose of obtaining free legal aid under this section, whether for himself or herself or for some other person, knowingly makes a false or misleading statement or representation either orally or in writing, or knowingly conceals any material fact, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.

(7) On conviction of a person for an offence under this section, the court by which the person is convicted may, if in the circumstances of the case it thinks fit, order the person to pay to the Minister the whole or part of any sum paid under subsection (4) in respect of the free legal aid in relation to which the offence was committed, and any sum so paid to the Minister shall be paid into and disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in accordance with the directions of the Minister for Finance.