Legal Aid in NSW

When experiencing a legal problem in NSW, people can contact Legal Aid for support and advice. The government service offers free advice and court representation, and can fund grants for lawyer services to eligible persons. Find out more about social and legal support services in NSW, what services are available, and how Legal Aid can help. Let’s take a closer look.

What Services Do Legal Aid NSW Provide?

Legal Aid NSW is a government agency that provides legal advice, court representation and a grant of legal aid to fund a legal aid lawyer in certain circumstances. Eligibility is dependent on the type of legal issue and the individual’s financial situation. They also provide a hotline for young people under 18, offering advice and information with a 24-hour service available over the weekend and public holidays. Legal Aid NSW is a service provided by the NSW government that offers the following assistance:

• Free legal advice
• Court representation 
• Legal aid grants
• Interactive guides
• Free information, fact sheets and referral service

What Type Of Legal Advice Is Available?

Legal Aid NSW can offer general guidance and free information on a wide range of legal issues including; family law, civil law and some criminal law matters.  Much of the free legal advice relates to problems that affect basic needs, like income support, access, or health and disability supports. They can provide legal information on some of the following issues:

• Veteran Affairs and Centrelink – Payments, pensions and debt recovery.
• Employment – Dismissal, discrimination, sexual harassment or underpayment.
• Housing – Evictions, repairs, rental and mortgage issues.
• Human rights – Sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination and police complaints.
• Immigration – Protection, family and spouse visas.
• Finance – Insurance, overdue loans, fines, debts, goods and services issues.
• NDIS – Payments, access and quality of service.
• Mental Health – Detention, involuntary treatment, guardianship and finance.
• Natural disasters – Legal problems associated with a disaster, flood, fire etc
• Family law – Domestic violence, divorce, parenting, child support, AVOs.
• Criminal law – Traffic matters with an imprisonment risk, AVO defendants and some criminal proceedings.

The legal information does not include matters relating to wills, deceased estates, work or student visas, neighbour issues, disputes between individuals, binding financial agreements, business and investment disputes or debts.  LawAccess NSW can assist with these issues.

Who Is Eligible?

Legal Aid NSW provides services to people experiencing disadvantage in New South Wales. They can not provide legal advice to everyone, and eligibility depends on the type of legal issue and the individual’s financial circumstances; for example, they can assist with civil law matters that affect fundamental needs such as housing, income or access to support, or matters involving children, relationship breakdowns or other matters involving the police.

What Other Legal Information Services Are Available In NSW?

There are many options available for anyone with legal issues in NSW. Several independent community legal centres and government organisations can help provide free legal advice.

Community Legal Centres

Anyone with a legal problem in NSW can find free legal help at a community legal centre. The independent organisations have 42 centres around the state that can offer assistance, and their free information and referral service is also available online.

Aboriginal Legal Service

The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) is a community controlled organisation providing legal assistance to Aboriginal people in NSW and the ACT. This service ensures that indigenous Australians have improved access to culturally safe social support and legal services.

LawAccess NSW

LawAccess NSW is a good starting point for people who have legal problems in NSW, as they can provide advice and make an appointment for a person to speak to a lawyer if they are eligible. LawAccess NSW is a free government organisation that helps connect people with the appropriate legal support for their circumstances. Their information and referral service covers a wide range of topics, and they can provide support either: via their telephone service or online chat facilities.

Summary

Legal Aid NSW is a government agency that provides legal advice, court representation or a grant of legal aid to fund a lawyer. They can provide services to people experiencing disadvantage in NSW. They can not provide legal advice to everyone, and individual eligibility depends on the type of issue and financial circumstances.  Generally, the free advice relates to problems that affect basic needs, like income support, access, or health and disability supports. Several options are available for people with legal issues in NSW. Independent community legal centres and government organisations can help with free legal advice.

FAQs

What Qualifies You For Legal Aid In NSW?

Legal Aid NSW provides services to people experiencing disadvantage in New South Wales. They can not provide legal advice to everyone, and eligibility depends on the type of legal matter and individual financial circumstances. For example, they can assist with civil law issues that affect fundamental needs such as housing, income or access to support, or matters involving children, relationship breakdowns or matters involving the police.

How Do I Get A Free Lawyer In NSW?

If someone has a legal problem in NSW, they may be eligible for a free lawyer. Legal Aid NSW is a government agency that provides legal advice, court representation and a grant of legal aid to fund a lawyer in certain circumstances. LawAccess NSW can advise if they are eligible, depending on their legal matter and financial situation.