Information and Community Legal Education

Community Legal Education (CLE)

Information and Education is delivered in many ways at Legal Aid ACT such as through brochures, factsheets and presentations delivered to the community. 

To find out more phone our Helpline on 1300 654 314 and they will connect you to our Community Education and Information Officer.

Email community.education@legalaidact.org.au for any enquiries and information. 

Upcoming Events

Our Law for Non-Lawyers (LFNL) sessions run every month with tickets available on Humantix. 

Join us on Friday 13 December 2024 at 10am for an informative session exploring all you need to know about the functions of the Public Trustee and Guardian (PTG) and how can it help you and your clients. Learn how the PTG supports individuals and families with expert guidance and tailored solutions to manage their legal and financial affairs effectively. Get tickets here: Law For Non-Lawyers: Public Trustee and Guardian (PTG)

Law for Non-Lawyers

Each month, we run a number of training sessions on a range topics aimed at workers in the community sector. Our sessions will be posted in the upcoming events for you to sign up. 

Factsheets and Resources

If you need help in understanding legal words, please see our Legal Words dictionary. For a guide to the free or low-cost legal services in Canberra, see the Free Law Directory

If you would like to view the resources, we have available in video format, visit our Video Channel.

We have a number of publications on a variety of legal problems, available online below or you can call the Helpline on 1300 654 314 and we will send them to you. 

All of our factsheets are intended to be used as a guide only and not as legal advice. Please contact the Legal Aid Helpline if you need legal advice. For information on the types of legal problems Legal Aid ACT can provide advice on, visit Legal Advice

The factsheets are presented in Portable Document Format, or PDF. If you are having trouble viewing them, please download a free copy of Adobe Reader by clicking the below image or call our Helpline on 1300 654 314 between 9.00am and 5.00pm weekdays and we will send to you.

About Legal Aid ACT

For further information about Legal Aid ACT, return to the homepage of this website. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Applying for a grant of legal aid?

If you need more than one-off legal advice, you will need to apply for a grant of legal assistance. Visit Applying for Legal Aid for information provided on our website. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Please note that the Application for Legal Assistance form is now available online - Application for Legal Assistance form.

Are you separating or getting a divorced?

Family law is the area of law that deals with family matters such as divorce, property and children. The Family Advocacy Support Service can also provide legal and non-legal assistance if you or a family member have experienced, used or alleged to have used family violence in your relationship and need help with a family law, child protection or family violence order. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Family Violence, Family Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders

Legal Aid ACT provides a range of legal and non-legal support services for people experiencing or at risk of family violence. Family Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders are made by the court to protect a person from future assaults, threats of violence, property damage, stalking acts and acts of indecency, harassment and offensive conduct by another person.

The Family Advocacy Support Service can provide legal and non-legal assistance if you or a family member have experienced, used or alleged to have used family violence in your relationship and need help with a family law, child protection or family violence order. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Resources on High-risk Weather Season 

Find some resources on how to legally prepare during ACT's high-risk weather seasons here

Police, Crime and Court

If you have been charged with a crime phone our Helpline for a free appointment the lawyer will be able to give you some initial advice and talk to you about what will happen.

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

  • Video: What is an Associate (ACT Magistrates Court)?

  • Video: What is a Duty Lawyer (ACT Magistrates Court)?

  • Video: What is the role of the Prosecution (ACT Magistrates Court)?

  • Video: What is a 'self-represented' litigant (ACT Magistrates Court)?

Child Protection (CYF)

The four videos below are for families who have been contacted by Child and Youth Protection Services (CYF) and want to know about the steps and their rights.

If you need legal help, call us on 1300 654 314. 

  • Video 1: The steps of Child and Youth Protection Services - Step 1

  • Video 2: The steps of Child and Youth Protection Services - Step 2, 3 and 4

  • Video 3: The steps of Child and Youth Protection Services - Step 5 and 6 (part one)

  • Video 4: The steps of Child and Youth Protection Services - Step 6 (part two)

Capacity 

There is no single legal definition of capacity. The legal definition of capacity depends upon the type of decision being made. There are a variety of legal tests of capacity that are always assessed by reference to the capacity to do something, such as enter into a contract, make a will, or provide instructions to a lawyer.

The ACT Capacity Toolkit is for you if you have concerns about the ability of an adult to make decisions for themselves.

The Capacity Guidelines are for legal practitioners who need to ascertain whether a client has capacity for the decision being made. 

Click on the title to download the Toolkit or Guidelines. 

Resources for Older People

Legal Aid does not provide assistance in writing wills or administering a deceased estate. However we can give you advice and help you identify issues related to wills and the procedures for the administration of an estate. For specialist legal advice for older people, Legal Aid ACT now has the Older Persons ACT Legal Service

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Resources for Younger People

The Youth Law Centre is the best place to get information if you are between the ages of 12 and 25. The number to contact the Youth law Centre is (02) 6173 5410. 

Resources for Migrants and Refugees

The Community Liaison Unit helps people in the community access the legal services provided by Legal Aid ACT, other legal services in the ACT and non-legal support services. 

Work Problems

Legal Aid ACT operates an employment law clinic. The clinic runs each Friday. If you have been dismissed from work phone our Helpline on 1300 654 314 as soon as you can as short time frames can apply.

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Neighbourhood Disputes

Legal Aid ACT can give legal advice on Neighbourhood disputes. Make a free 30 minute appointment by calling the Helpline on 1300 654 314.

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

NDIS

Legal Aid ACT can give legal advice and assistance for both NDIA Reviews and AAT Applications. Call the Helpline on 1300 654 314 to get help. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS)

Free, independent legal support to participate in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS) is a free national service that provides independent information and legal advice to support Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, as well as their families, carers and supporters, to safely share their experiences with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Call the Defence and Veterans Legal Service on 1800 33 1800 or visit their website defenceveteranslegalservice.org.au

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Cars and Driving

Tenancy

Legal Aid ACT can give legal advice and assistance to tenants in the ACT through the Tenancy Advice Service ACT. Call the Helpline on 1300 654 314 to get help. See the Tenancy Advice Service ACT page for more information.

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Useful Documents

Sample Letters

Sample letters are in Word format so you can edit and use them for your own situation

Other Legal Issues

Comic Book series

The aim of these Comic Books is to help people to better understand the law on topics that most affect them in a short and easy to read format. 

Image removed.
Tenancy comic - problems with my landlord (page 1 of 4). CLICK THIS LINK TO READ THE FULL COMIC.

 

Animated Videos

About Legal Aid ACT

 

Family Violence

 

Tenancy 

Regular Outreach and Community Legal Education Locations

Do you have a legal problem? Or an issue that could become a legal problem? Come and have a free chat with Legal Aid and find out how to fix it. 

Our outreach locations enable Legal Aid ACT to provide a friendly and accessible face to the community while engaging with hard-to-reach and vulnerable community groups such as newly arrived migrants, young people, people at risk of incarceration and older people.  

Outreach Locations

Sisters in Spirit Aboriginal Corporation (Unit 4/146 Scollary Street, Greenway)

In-person Legal Help at Sisters in Spirit Aboriginal Corporation. Just drop in every Wednesday, or phone to book an appointment (6257 0794).

  • Every Wednesday from 9:30am to 1:30pm
  • Wednesday 16 October 2024
  • Wednesday 23 October 2024
  • Wednesday 30 October 2024
  • Wednesday 6 November 2024
  • Wednesday 13 November 2024
  • Wednesday 20 November 2024
  • Wednesday 27 November 2024
  • Wednesday 4 December 2024
  • Wednesday 11 December 2024
  • Wednesday 18 December 2024

Communities at Work Food Pantry Gungahlin (47 Ernest Cavanagh St, Gungahlin)

In-person Legal Help at Communities at Work Food Pantry. No appointment necessary - just drop in!

  • Every alternate Monday from 12:30pm to 2:00pm
  • Monday 7 October 2024
  • Monday 21 October 2024
  • Monday 4 November 2024
  • Monday 18 November 2024
  • Monday 2 December 2024
  • Monday 16 December 2024

Meridian Pride Hub (85 Northbourne Avenue, Turner)

In-person Legal Help at Meridian. No appointment necessary – just drop in!

  • Every alternate Tuesday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm
  • Tuesday 1 October 2024
  • Tuesday 15 October 2024
  • Tuesday 5 November 2024
  • Tuesday 19 November 2024
  • Tuesday 3 December 2024
  • Tuesday 17 December 2024
  • Tuesday 7 January 2025
  • Tuesday 21 January 2025

Oak's Estate (20 George Street, Oaks Estate)

In-person Legal Help at Oak's Estate. No appointment necessary – just drop in!

  • Running once a month from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
  • Wednesday 2 October 2024
  • Wednesday 6 November 2024
  • Wednesday 4 December 2024
  • Wednesday 1 January 2025

Community Corner 

In-person Legal Help at different library locations. No appointment necessary – just drop in!

  • Community Corner will run between 10:15am to 12:00pm on the following dates:
  • Belconnen Library runs on the first Thursday of the month.
  • Thursday 5 September 2024
  • Thursday 3 October 2024
  • Thursday 7 November 2024
  • Thursday 5 December 2024
  • Dickson Library runs on the second Thursday of the month.
  • Thursday 12 September 2024
  • Thursday 10 October 2024
  • Thursday 14 November 2024
  • Thursday 13 December 2024
  • Tuggeranong Library runs on the third Thursday of the month.
  • Thursday 19 September 2024
  • Thursday 17 October 2024
  • Thursday 21 November 2024
  • Kippax Library runs on the fourth Thursday of the month.
  • Thursday 26 September 2024
  • Thursday 24 October 2024
  • Thursday 28 November 2024
  • Woden Library runs on the fifth Thursday of the month.
  • Thursday 31 October 2024

Ainslie Village (26 Quick Street, Campbell)

In-person Legal Help at Ainslie Village Main Foyer. No appointment necessary - just drop in!

  • Every alternate Thursday from 11:00am to 1:00pm.
  • Thursday 10 October 2024
  • Thursday 24 October 2024
  • Thursday 7 November 2024
  • Thursday 21 November 2024
  • Thursday 5 December 2024
  • Thursday 19 December 2024
  • Thursday 2 January 2025

Salvation Army City Branch (1 Elder Street, Braddon)

In-person Legal Help at the Salvation Army Church in Braddon. no appointment necessary - just drop in!

  • Every alternate Monday from 11:00am to 1:30pm
  • Monday 30 September 2024
  • Monday 14 October 2024
  • Monday 28 October 2024
  • Monday 11 November 2024
  • Monday 25 November 2024
  • Monday 9 December 2024
  • Monday 23 December 2024

Yeddung Mura Aboriginal Corporation (56 Coyne Street, Fadden)

In-person Legal Help at Yeddung Mura Aboriginal Corporation. no appointment necessary - just drop in!

  • Every alternate Tuesday from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
  • Tuesday 8 October 2024
  • Tuesday 22 October 2024
  • Tuesday 5 November 2024
  • Tuesday 19 November 2024
  • Tuesday 3 December 2024
  • Tuesday 17 December 2024
  • Tuesday 31 December 2021

Community at Work Galilee School (244 Kambah Pool Rd, Kambah)

In-person Legal Help at Communities at Work Galilee School. No appointment necessary – just drop in!

  • Every alternate Wednesday from 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Community at Work Tuggeranong (245 Cowlishaw Street, Greenway)

In-person Legal Help at Communities at Work Tuggeranong. No appointment necessary – just drop in!

  • Every alternate Wednesday from 12:30pm to 2:00pm
  • Wednesday 2 October 2024
  • Wednesday 16 October 2024
  • Wednesday 30 October 2024
  • Wednesday 13 November 2024
  • Wednesday 27 November 2024
  • Wednesday 11 December 2024

Ted Noffs Program For Adolescent Life Management (PALM) (350 Antil Street Watson)

In-person Community Legal Education Sessions and Outreach for residents undergoing treatment at PALM. Sessions take place every Thursday afternoon. These sessions are not open to the general public.

  • Every Thursday from 2:30pm to 4:00pm.

Bimberi Youth Justice Centre (Morisset Road, Kenny)

In-person Community Legal Education Sessions and Outreach for students at Murrumbidgee School on alternate Monday afternoons. These sessions are not open to the general public.

  • Every fortnight on Monday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, starting from the second week of the month.

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC)

CRCC counselling, crisis appointments and advocacy appointments are available on the phone. A 24-hour callout service to police and forensic services is open for those wishing to report sexual assault.