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Read an easy English explanation on how to prepare
What to expect
At your appointment, you will speak to a Legal Aid ACT lawyer who can give you one-off advice on your situation.
We will ask you lots of questions so that we can understand how to best support you. We understand talking about your situation can be difficult. You can have a support person at your meeting. This may be a friend, relative or someone else you trust and can speak openly in front of.
If you need ongoing legal assistance, the lawyer might recommend you apply for a grant of legal aid.
How to prepare
Doing some preparation before you meet with us will help you get the most out of your time with us. We recommend you:
consider what outcome you would like
prepare some questions you would like answered
bring documents to help us understand your issue.
Bringing documents
We may ask you to send some documents to us before your appointment. You can also bring physical copies to the appointment.
Depending on your legal problem, this can include things like:
- court documents
- a contract, such as a lease
- evidence of communication with other parties.
These will help us provide specific advice for your situation.
If you do not provide these documents, we may only be able to give general advice.
If you need to cancel or change your appointment
If you can’t attend your appointment, please contact our Helpline so that we can reschedule your appointment.
Additional support during your appointment
If you have access needs
You can request reasonable adjustments to help you participate in your appointment. For example, if you need large-text documents or want to meet in a room with dimmed lighting.
Please contact our Helpline with your requests in advance.
If you need extra non-legal support
We may be able to provide non-legal support from our Community Liaison Unit if you are facing barriers accessing our services.
Find out what support the Community Liaison Unit can give you.
If you need help with English
You can ask for an interpreter at the start of your appointment. We’ll arrange an interpreter through the Translating and Interpreting Service to join. This is a free service.
We recommend asking for an interpreter in advance. Please contact our Helpline with your request in advance.
If you need help to speak or listen over the phone
You can use the National Relay Service for your phone appointment. This is a free service.