International and overseas law resources
International
World Legal Information Institute – provides access to a wealth of information relating to international law and the law of a multitude of countries. Its databases include decisions of international courts and tribunals, United Nations resolutions, World Trade Organization decisions, and much more.
United Nations – Documents – provides access to documents from the General Assembly, Security Council, Secretariat, International Court of Justice, and various other UN bodies.
Australia
Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII) – provides access to federal, state, and territorial legislation, court decisions, reports, and other information relating to Australian law.
Community Legal Centres Australia – the national body representing Community Legal Centres across Australia. If you are looking for legal assistance or the contact details of a particular Australian Community Legal Centre, you should refer to the state-based bodies and listings provided below.
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Law Handbook – a plain-language guide to law in the Australian Capital Territory, hosted by AustLII.
Community Legal Centres – a list of Community Legal Centres in the ACT and surrounding region from the ACT Law Society.
New South Wales
The Law Handbook: Your Practical Guide to the Law in NSW – a plain-language guide to the law in New South Wales, freely available in PDF form from the State Library of New South Wales. (Note: This resource describes the law as it was in 2019 and has not been updated to account for subsequent law changes.)
Redfern Legal Centre resources – legal resources on a range of topics are published by the Redfern Legal Centre and available online.
Community Legal Centres NSW – the body representing Community Legal Centres in New South Wales. You can find the details of centres serving particular areas or focused on particular topics via their website.
Northern Territory
Northern Territory Law Handbook – a plain-language guide to the law in the Northern Territory, developed by AustLII, Legal Aid NT and the Darwin Community Legal Centre.
LawInfo Northern Territory – the LawInfo website, produced by the NT Community Legal Education Network, addresses common legal issues, primarily in a question and answer format.
Law Society NT – Other Legal Links – provides links to Northern Territory Community Legal Centres, legal aid bodies, court and tribunals and other organisations.
Queensland
Queensland Law Handbook – a plain-language guide to the law in Queensland, produced by the Caxton Community Legal Centre. (Note: This resource describes the law as it was in 2016 and had not been updated to account for subsequent law changes.)
Community Legal Centres Queensland – the body representing Community Legal Centres in Queensland. You can find the details of centres serving particular areas or focused on particular topics via their website.
South Australia
Law Handbook – a plain-language guide to the law in South Australia, produced by the Legal Services Commission of South Australia.
Community Legal Centres (SA) – the body representing Community Legal Centres in South Australia. You can find the details of centres serving particular areas or focused on particular topics via their website.
Tasmania
Tasmanian Law Handbook – a plain-language guide to the law in Tasmania, produced by the Hobart Community Legal Service.
Community Legal Centres Tasmania – the body representing Community Legal Centres in Tasmania. You can find the details of centres serving particular areas or focused on particular topics via their website.
Victoria
The Law Handbook – a plain-language guide to the law in Victoria, published by the Fitzroy Legal Service since 1977. It is generally updated each year and can be viewed freely online or purchased as a hard copy or PDF.
Prison Law Handbook – a practical guide to prison law in Victoria, published by the Fitzroy Legal Service.
Activist Rights – an information resource, produced by the Fitzroy Legal Service, that covers activism, organising protests, police powers and other matters.
Federation of Community Legal Centres (Vic) – the body representing Community Legal Centres in Victoria. You can find the details of centres serving particular areas or focused on particular topics via their website.
Western Australia
Western Australian Law Handbook – a plain-language guide to the law in Western Australia, compiled by Sussex St Community Law Service and hosted by AustLII.
Community Legal WA – the body representing Community Legal Centres in Western Australia. You can find the details of centres serving particular areas or focused on particular topics via their website.
Canada
Canadian Legal Information Institute (CanLII) – provides access to federal, provincial, and territorial legislation, court decisions, reports, and other information relating to Canadian law.
Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC) – PLEAC is the national body that brings together organisations and individuals involved in providing legal information and education across all of Canada. You can look through its list of member organisations to find those operating in each province and territory. Many of these organisations provide detailed information about the law and access to legal assistance within their own jurisdictions.
