Legal Aid

Overview

If you need a lawyer you might be able to get legal aid. Legal aid will help pay for your lawyer’s fees and you wont need to pay it back. If you are on a benefit you will usually be able to get legal aid.

There are two types of legal aid – Civil/Family Legal Aid and Criminal Legal Aid.

Civil/Family legal aid is to help with the legal costs of bringing or defending a civil case (for example, if you take your boss to the Employment Relations Authority) or a case in the Family Court (for example, a Parenting Order).

For more information see the chapter “Legal Aid and other legal help” in the Community Law Manual. You can also contact your nearest Community Law Centre.

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Where to go for more support

Community Law

www.communitylaw.org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide initial free legal advice and information.

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