Many people wait too long before they seek legal help. This often leads to problems becoming bigger and more difficult to resolve. We encourage people to seek help early and resolve legal problems as quickly as possible.
Where and how do I get legal advice?
HELPLINE
The Legal Aid Helpline is an immediate option for people who need help.
HELPLINE - MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8.30am to 5.00pm – 1300 654 314
The Helpline provides help in understanding and dealing with legal issues. The Helpline staff will provide information about your legal issue and suggest what further action you might take. In some cases Helpline staff may be able to provide brief legal advice about your problem. Often it is not possible to solve a legal problem over the telephone and you may have to come in for an appointment.
LEGAL ADVICE
Our HELPLINE staff can make you an appointment to see a lawyer if needed.
Our lawyers are also at various courts, see our page “Lawyers at Court" for times.
Appointments are at our office, 2 Allsop Street, Canberra.
These appointments for initial legal advice are FREE. Please bring along to the appointment any documents related to your problem.
Can I get an interpreter or other communication assistance?
Yes, and it is free. Please tell us when you call if you require an interpreter or other communication assistance, or have a family member, or friend phone us on your behalf and we can set up an appointment and assistance for you. You can also drop into our office and speak to some face to face.
What if I can’t get into your office for an appointment?
Tell us when you call if you are unable to get into our office and we can sort a suitable place to meet with you. We undertake outreach work, which means we go to community places across the ACT and see people at different locations.
What do I need to do before seeing a lawyer?
Before seeing a lawyer:
- Work out what you want help with
- Collect and bring all paperwork about your problem
- Let us know if you need an interpreter so we can arrange this for you
- Find out where you need to go, so you turn up on time
- Leave enough time to find parking if you are coming by car
- Making sure you have enough time – you may need to wait a bit before seeing a lawyer
- You can bring a person for support, but the lawyer may also want to speak with you alone.
How long will I get to spend with my lawyer?
The amount of time you get to spend with a lawyer will depend on your legal problem. It could be from 10 minutes up to 30 minutes. As time is limited, our lawyers may not be able to read all of your paperwork or help you with a complex issues.
What if I need more help?
If you need more legal help, you may be able to apply for a grant of legal assistance for a lawyer to run your case. We can help you fill in the form.
Who can get legal advice from Legal Aid ACT?
We focus on giving legal advice to people who need it most, including people who:
- Are socially and economically disadvantaged
- Can’t get help from a private lawyer
- Don’t have any other way to get legal help
We give free legal advice on a range of matters but give priority to people who need advice on:
- Criminal matters (especially those in custody or facing serious charges, or when a young person has been charged)
- Family breakdown matters (especially involving children)
- Family violence
- Some civil and human rights matters (including social security, debt, mental health, personal injuries migration and refugee, guardianship and anti-discrimination matters)
- Traffic offences and infringement fines
We don’t give legal advice about financial or businesses matters such as taxation or commercial law, buying a property, superannuation law or intellectual property law.
Do I have to pay for legal advice?
No. A one-off legal advice session is a Legal Aid lawyer is free. There is no charge for this service. If you require ongoing legal assistance, you will need to apply for a grant of legal aid.