Legal Services

In this section you can find inforamtion and links to organisations which provide legal information, advice and representation.

ACT Legal Services
Other Legal Information Websites

ACT Legal Services

(ACT) Women's Legal Centre   - provides free, confidential telephone advice to women on legal issues.  No drop-in service, appointments only.
Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12noon.
Phone: 02 6257 4499 
Outside Canberra Phone: 1800 634 669

Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT)  - provides legal advice & representation for indigenous people in Canberra & surrounding region (Queanbeyan, Yass, Goulburn, Cooma).
Phone: 02 6249 8488

ACT Legislation Register  - contains authorised current consolidations of ACT Acts, regulations and subordinate instruments. 

ANU Students Association  - provides advice on all legal matters to enrolled students. Phone or drop in for appointments 9am-5pm Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
Phone: 02 6125 2444

Consumer Law Centre of the ACT  - provides free legal assistance & advice to low to moderate income consumers, primarily in the areas of consumer credit, telecommunications & utilities, as well as general fair trading & consumer protection. Phone: 02 6257 1788 (9am-12noon Monday to Friday).

Disability Discrimination Legal Service  - provides a free legal service to assist people who have been discriminated against on the basis of their disability as recognised under legislation.
Hours: Tuesday 9:30am -1 pm Thursday 2:30 to 4:30pm
Phone & TTY: 02 6247 2018

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Environmental Defenders Office  - provides legal advice & representation on environmental law issues.

Legal Advice Bureau (Law Society of the ACT)  - provides free legal advice on simple legal matters. Assists in determining a legal problem and the possible need for engaging the services of the Legal Aid Office or a private solicitor to solve it.
Interviews are by appointment only, Monday-Friday 12:30-2pm. 
Phone 02 6247 5700

Legal Aid Office ACT  - provides free legal advice and assistance to everyone, but eligibility criteria apply for legal representation matters.
Free Advice Line: 1300 654 314 (Monday- Friday from 8:30am-5pm)
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders: 02 6207 1874
Criminal Law: 02 6243 3471

Tenants Advice Service  - provides free legal advice on tenancy matters, information & community education for all ACT tenants. Works on tenancy/housing issues and represents ACT tenants in a range of forums.

Welfare Rights and Legal Centre  - provides advice, information and referral in two areas:

1. One-off night time free legal advice and referral in all areas of law ( including legal aid appeals for people on low income) no appointment necessary, drop in or telephone, first come first served.
   Tuesday nights only 6-8pm
2. Welfare rights advice on Centrelink benefits and housing issues (private and public tenancy). 
   Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30am -1pm

Phone: 02 6218 7999
Outside Canberra Phone: 1800 445 665

Youth Law Centre ACT  - provides a drop in legal and referral service for young people aged 12-25, who may need assistance or information on a range of legal matters.
Hours: Monday to Friday 12pm - 4pm
Phone: 02 6262 7077

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Other Legal Information Websites

Child Support Agency (CSA)  - is part of the Australian Government. This site provides useful information for parents and carers on child support options, rights and responsibilities and after separation support services.

Family Court of Australia  - has jurisdiction over all matrimonial causes and associated responsibilities.

Family Law Courts  - this site provides topic based information about family law and a court tour. Includes information on family law principles; separation and divorce; children's matters; property and money matters; getting help; family violence; about going to court; and appeals.

Family Relationships Online  - provides all families (whether together or separated) with information and advice about family relationship issues. It allows families to find out about services that are funded by the Government that can assist them to build better relationships. It also provides information on the Government's reforms to the family law system to help families focus on the needs of their children. The Family Relationships Advice Line is open Monday-Friday 8am-8pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Phone: 1800 050 321.

Law Internet Resources - Family Law  -  contains links to Internet resources and documents in the area of federal family law, as well as providing links to other guides and directories which contain material on State and Territory and overseas law.

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National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC)  - is the association of state community legal centre organisations in Australia. Community legal centres (CLCs) are independent, non-profit community organisations that provide free legal services to the public.  Community legal centres that provide referral, advice and assistance to more than 350,000 people each year. These services are provided free of charge 

Women's Safety After Separation  - provides information to women facing separation, particularly where there is violence and abuse. 

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