FREE L AW D IRE CTORY
A guide to the free and low-cost legal services in Canberra
January 2013
Contents
Page
Cancer Patients
1
Centrelink
1
Consumer Law, Credit and Debt
2
Criminal Law
3
Discrimination
4
Domestic Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders
5
Employment Law
5
Environmental Law
6
Family Law
7
General Law
8
Homeless Clients
10
Mental Health Legal Issues
11
Migration Law
12
Small Business
13
Tenancy Public Housing
14
Tenancy Private & Other Rental
14
Victims of Crime Financial Assistance
16
Wills and Power of Attorney
16
Youth Law
17
Legal Assistance (NSW)
17
Referral Information Form
19
Authority to exchange information form
20
Disclaimer: This publication is a guide
only. While due care has been taken to
ensure the accuracy of the material
contained in this publication, ACTLAF
cannot take responsibility for any errors.
i
CANCER PATIENTS
Service
Cancer Council ACT
Legal Referral
Service
Service Type
Only for cancer patients and/or their family
members. A referral service that connects
clients with lawyers who provide free
assistance to those who pass the means
test. Clients who do not satisfy the means
test can chose to have paid assistance.
Can assist with drafting wills, powers of
attorney, early access to superannuation,
mortgage hardship variations, credit and
debt issues, insurance claims and disputes,
employment and discrimination and
tenancy disputes amongst other issues.
Referral Process
Call Cancer Council Helpline to
contact the service.
Contact Details
Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
CENTRELINK
Service
Welfare Rights and
Legal Centre
Service Type
Advice and representation
Referral Process
Contact Details
Clients phone advice line for advice.
Advice Line:
6218 7977
Clients need to leave a message and
their call will be returned. If the
matter is urgent (e.g. an eviction), the
client should make sure they say that
in their message.
Hours of operation:
Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri
9.30 – 1pm
Admin Line: 6218 7900.
Only staffed from 9:00am to 1:00pm
every day.
Workers can phone the admin line to
discuss whether a referral is
appropriate or for urgent matters.
1
CONSUMER LAW, CREDIT AND DEBT
Service
CARE Financial
Counselling Services
Service Type
Information and advocacy
Referral Process
Clients can phone during the day or
drop in to the After Hours service.
Services for residents of the ACT.
CARE will refer clients to Consumer
Law Centre when appropriate.
The Consumer Law
Centre of the ACT
Free information, advocacy and legal advice
in the areas of Consumer law, credit and
debt, telecommunications and fair trading
matters.
1. Will advise workers calling on behalf of
clients or with general legal queries
(no means/merits test applied)
2. One-off advice available to anyone
3. Potential ongoing clients require
assets/means/merits test
Legal Aid ACT
Advice and advocacy
No grant of Legal Aid required
Contact Details
Phone:
(02) 6257 1788
Free call:
1800 007 007
Weekdays 9.30am to 4.30pm
After Hours Service
5.30pm to 7.30pm each Wednesday
Clients must meet CARE client criteria, For referral (via CARE) and for general
which is:
legal advice:
ACT residents on low to moderate
income. (Those receiving government
income support automatically qualify
for assistance)
Phone:
Free call:
(02) 6257 1788
1800 007 007
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
For general advice or workers calling
on behalf of clients, there is no means
test.
Clients can phone Helpline or drop
into Helpdesk.
Helpline/Helpdesk
Email: [email protected]
Reception:
6243 3411
2
CRIMINAL LAW
Service
Aboriginal Legal
Service
Service Type
Advice and representation
Referral Process
Phone, email, or drop into the office
to make an appointment to see a
lawyer.
Contact Details
Phone:
6249 8488
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Address: 7/9 Moore Street, Canberra
Email: [email protected]
Legal Aid ACT
Advice and advocacy
No grant of Legal Aid required
Clients can phone Helpline or drop
into Helpdesk.
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Helpline/Helpdesk
Assistance in applying for a grant of legal
assistance for representation.
Email: [email protected]
Reception:
6243 3411
Legal Aid ACT
Criminal Law
Section
Representation by Legal Aid duty lawyer
Contact the criminal law section.
Phone:
6243 3407
Email: [email protected]
3
DISCRIMINATION
Service
Disability
Discrimination
Service (DDLS)
Service Type
Advice and Representation
Note:
This service will resume in February 2013
Legal Aid ACT
Advice and advocacy
No grant of Legal Aid required
Referral Process
Contact DDLS by phoning any time
and leaving a message. We will call
you back within 48 hours.
Contact Details
Phone:
Fax:
6218 7900
6257 4801
Email: [email protected]
If you cannot use the phone, then
write, fax, or email or have a friend or
family member call the Centre to
discuss your needs.
Clients can phone Helpline or drop
into Helpdesk.
Address: PO Box 337, Civic Square
ACT 2608
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Helpline/Helpdesk
Email: [email protected]
Reception:
6243 3411
Women’s Legal
Centre
Women only
Advice and Representation
Clients can phone advice line.
Advice Line:
Workers can phone the admin line to
discuss referrals and urgent matters.
Hours:
6257 4499
1800 634 669
Mon to Fri 9.30 to 12.00
Admin:
Hours:
6257 4377
Mon to Fri 9.00 to 5.00
4
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDERS
Service
Service Type
Legal Aid ACT
Domestic Violence
and Personal
Protection Unit
Duty lawyer advice and representation
Women’s Legal
Centre
Women only
Advice and Representation
Referral Process
Contact the Unit with names of all
parties involved.
Contact Details
Phone:
6207 1874
Address:
Magistrates Court
4 Knowles Place
Canberra
Clients can phone advice line.
Advice Line:
Workers can phone the admin line to
discuss referrals and urgent matters.
Hours:
6257 4499
1800 634 669
Mon to Fri 9.30 to 12.00
Admin:
Hours:
6257 4377
Mon to Fri 9.00 to 5.00
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Service
Night Time Legal
Advice Service
(NTLAS)
Service Type
Phone and drop in service
Tuesday nights 6pm to 8pm.
Referral Process
Phone 6218 7999 on a Tuesday from
6pm.
Or
Drop in to the service at Havelock
House on a Tuesday from 6pm.
Contact Details
Phone:
6218 7999
Address:
Havelock House
Corner Northbourne &
Gould Streets Turner (entry
on Gould Street)
5
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Service
Legal Aid ACT
Helpline/Helpdesk
Service Type
Advice
No grant of Legal Aid required
Referral Process
Clients can phone Helpline or drop
into Helpdesk.
Contact Details
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Email: [email protected]
Women’s Legal
Centre
Women only
Advice and Representation
Clients can phone advice line.
Advice Line:
Workers can phone the admin line to
discuss referrals and urgent matters.
Hours:
6257 4499
1800 634 669
Mon to Fri 9.30 to 12.00
Admin:
Hours:
6257 4377
Mon to Fri 9.00 to 5.00
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
Service
The Environmental
Defender’s Office
(EDO)
Service Type
Referral Process
Contact Details
Advice on environmental and planning law.
Environmental law issues only.
Camilla Taylor
Aim to increase public awareness of
environmental laws and remedies.
Provides community legal information
including online fact sheets & publications.
The EDO offers free initial legal advice
of up to two hours. If further advice is
required, the EDO Solicitor assesses a
request for advice against the EDO’s
Casework Guidelines.
Advice:
6243 3460
Email:
[email protected]
http://www.edo.org.au/edoact/
6
FAMILY LAW
Service
Aboriginal Legal
Service
Service Type
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients
only. Care and Protection Matters Only.
Referral Process
Phone, email, or drop into the office
to make an appointment to see a
lawyer.
Advice and representation
Contact Details
Phone:
6249 8488
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Address: 7/9 Moore Street, Canberra City
Email: [email protected]
Legal Aid ACT
Helpline/Helpdesk
Advice only
Clients can call Helpline or drop into
the Helpdesk.
No grant of Legal Aid required.
Helpline:
Helpdesk:
Reception:
Email:
Legal Aid ACT
duty lawyer service
at Federal
Magistrates Court
Advice on court date
Assistance to make court applications (but
won’t fill in forms)
Appear for adjournments (but cannot run
hearings)
No grant of Legal Aid required.
Purpose of duty lawyer service is to
assist self-represented persons i.e. a
person in court or asking how to go to
court. It is not a general advice
service.
This is a drop–in service only.
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
6243 3411
[email protected]
The duty service operates at the Federal
Magistrates Court.
Address:
4 Knowles Place Canberra
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
10am to 1pm
11am to 1pm
10am to 1pm
1pm to 3pm
1pm to 4pm
7
FAMILY LAW
Service
Legal Aid ACT
Service Type
Advice and advocacy
No grant of Legal Aid required
Referral Process
Clients can phone Helpline or drop
into Helpdesk.
Helpline/Helpdesk
Contact Details
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
Assistance in applying for a grant of legal
assistance for representation.
Women’s Legal
Centre
Women only
Advice and Representation
Reception:
Email:
6243 3411
[email protected]
Clients can phone advice line.
Advice Line:
Workers can phone the admin line to
discuss referrals and urgent matters.
Hours:
6257 4499
1800 634 669
Mon to Fri 9.30 to 12.00
Admin:
Hours:
6257 4377
Mon to Fri 9.00 to 5.00
GENERAL LAW
Service
Legal Aid
Helpline/Helpdesk
Service Type
Information/referral/advice/minor
assistance, limited advocacy
Referral Process
Clients can call the helpline or drop in
to the helpdesk.
Contact Details
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
2 Allsop street Canberra
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Email:
[email protected]
8
GENERAL LAW
Service
Service Type
Night Time Legal
Advice Service
(NTLAS)
Phone and drop in service
Tuesday nights 6pm to 8pm.
ACT Law Society
Legal Advice Bureau
Free 15-minute appointments at lunchtime
on weekdays on any legal issue.
Referral Process
Contact Details
Clients can phone on a Tuesday from
6pm
or
Drop in to the service at Havelock
House from 6pm.
Phone:
6218 7999
Clients can phone the Law Society to
make an appointment.
Phone:
Clients can phone to make an
appointment with the Salvos Legal
Advice Clinic to see a lawyer on a
Wednesday night.
Workers are asked to send through a
Referral Form.
Clients can download an application
form from the Law Society website.
Phone:
1800 050 819
Fax:
6234 4111
Email:
[email protected]
Location:
1 Elder Street, Braddon ACT 2612
Phone:
6247 5700
Address:
Havelock House, Corner of
Northbourne Avenue and Gould Streets
Turner, entry on Gould Street.
6247 5700
Family Law matters Wednesdays only.
Legal Advice Bureau solicitors are not
available for the drafting of documents or
for court appearances.
Salvation Army Legal
Clinic
Free advice and representation on
consumer debts, fines, interactions with
government, employment and civil law.
ACT Law Society
Pro Bono Clearing
House
Free advice and representation on any legal
issue.
Or phone the Law Society to have an
application sent to them.
Website:
www.actlawsociety.asn.au/
9
HOMELESS CLIENTS
Service
Street Law
Service Type
Clients who are homeless or at risk of
homelessness only.
Advice, supported referral, and
representation in some circumstances.
If clients are homeless we are able to assist
them with any legal issue.
Phone Street Law admin line to talk to a
lawyer or make an appointment for a client
at Street Law office, or phone an outreach
to make an appointment at one of our
outreach locations.
Referral Process
Contact Details
Phone, email or drop in to the Street
Phone:
Law office to make an appointment to
see a lawyer, or make an appointment Or free call:
at one of the outreaches below.
Monday 12:30 – 2:30
Inanna Southside
6295 3323
Tuesday (fortnightly) 9:00 – 11:00
Early Morning Centre 6247 5041
6218 7995
1800 STR LAW
(1800 787 529)
Location: Havelock House, Corner of
Northbourne Avenue and Gould Streets
Turner (entry on Gould Street).
Email:
[email protected]
Thursday (women only) 10:00 – 12:00
Toora Women’s Day Program
6247 2399
Friday 10:00 - 12:00
MARSS
6248 8577
10
MENTAL HEALTH LEGAL ISSUES (CHALLENGE TO INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT ORDERS)
Service
Legal Aid ACT
Service Type
Advice and advocacy
No grant of Legal Aid required
Referral Process
Clients can phone Helpline or drop
into Helpdesk.
Contact Details
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Helpline/Helpdesk
Assistance in applying for a grant of legal
assistance for representation.
Email: [email protected]
Crisis Assessment
Treatment Team
(CATT)
The Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team
(CATT) provides a 24-hour, seven day a
week service used for assessment and
treatment of mentally ill people in crisis
situations.
Phone the CATT Mental Health Triage
Service.
Reception:
6243 3411
Phone:
or
Phone:
1800 629 354
6205 1065
11
MIGRATION LAW
Service
Service Type
Referral Process
Contact Details
ANU Migration
Law clinic
Advice
Phone AIDS Action Council to make an Phone:
appointment.
6257 2855
Companion House
(IAAAS funding)
Provides assistance to people applying for a
protection visa.
Call Companion House during office
hours or email Sai Maung.
6251 4550
Email:
[email protected]
Provides assistance to people from refugee
background to sponsor spouse or
immediate family member.
Legal Aid ACT
Advice and advocacy
No grant of Legal Aid required
Phone:
Clients can phone Helpline or drop
into Helpdesk.
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Helpline/Helpdesk
Assistance in applying for a grant of legal
assistance for representation.
Email: [email protected]
Reception:
ANU Students’
Association
Advice—ANU students only.
Provides advice on all areas of the law
especially:
 Occupancy/tenancy agreements
 Consumer law
 Criminal law
 IP law
 Migration
Email for appointment
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday or drop in.
Appointments take precedence.
6243 3411
Phone:
6252 444
Email (direct advice):
[email protected]
Email (appointments):
[email protected]
Internet:
http://www.anusa.com.au
Address:
ANUSA
Level 1, Building 17a,
Union Court, ANU
12
MIGRATION LAW
Service
Immigration Advice
and Rights Centre
Sydney
(IAAAS funded)
Service Type
Australian immigration law, refugee and
citizenship law. Provides free immigration
advice to financially disadvantaged people
in NSW (during hours of operation) by
phone or face to face (with appointment)
and provides case assistance to some
clients who meet casework guidelines.
Referral Process
IARC accepts warm referrals from
community organisations, as well as
individual requests.
Referrals and requests are made by
calling the IARC's administration line.
Contact Details
Administration Line: 9279 4300
Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm.
Advice Line:
Tue & Thurs
9262 3833
2 – 4pm.
Also runs immigration education
workshop/programs. Publications include
the Immigration Kit, an immigration
newsletter called Immigration News and
various information sheets published on our
website. (www.iarc.asn.au).
SMALL BUSINESS
Service
University of
Canberra Small
Business Legal
Advice Clinic
Service Type
Advice on legal areas concerning small
businesses during 45-minute consultations
for a fee of $50.
The clinic aims to provide initial advice and
cannot assume management of matters.
Referral Process
Clients can call the school of law or
book an appointment via email.
Appointments take place at Bradley
Allen Love offices 3.00pm-5.30pm,
Tuesdays to Thursdays.
Contact Details
Phone:
6201 2852
Email:
[email protected]
Address:
Level 8, University Ave, Canberra City
13
TENANCY: PUBLIC HOUSING
Service
Welfare Rights and
Legal Centre
Service Type
Advice and representation
Referral Process
Contact Details
Clients phone advice line for advice.
Advice Line:
6218 7977
Clients need to leave a message and
their call will be returned. If the
matter is urgent (e.g. an eviction), the
client should make sure they say that
in their message.
Hours of operation:
Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri
9.30 – 1pm
Admin Line: 6218 7900.
Only staffed from 9:00am to 1:00pm
every day.
Workers can phone the admin line to
discuss whether a referral is
appropriate or for urgent matters.
TENANCY: PRIVATE & OTHER RENTAL
Service
Tenants Advice
Service
Service Type
Tenants only (no landlords or realtors)
Advice and Representation
No means test for advice; there is a merits
test for representation.
Referral Process
Clients: Phone and leave a message
between 10 and 11:30am Monday to
Friday and an advice worker will
return the call. Three attempts are
made to return the call. If there is no
capacity for the client to leave a
message it means that demand is too
high and they should try again the
next day.
Workers: If a matter is urgent, then
you can call the admin line and an
advice worker will contact the client.
Contact Details
Tenants Advice Line:
6247 2011.
Hours of operation:
10 -11:30 am Monday -Friday.
Admin Line:
6247 1026.
Web site: www.tenantsact.org.au.
14
TENANCY: PRIVATE & OTHER RENTAL
Service
Welfare Rights and
Legal centre
Service Type
Advice and representation for clients with
health care cards only
Referral Process
Clients phone advice line for advice.
Clients need to leave a message and
their call will be returned. If the
matter is urgent (e.g. an eviction), the
client should make sure they say that
in their message.
Contact Details
Advice Line: 6218 7977
Hours of operation:
Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri 9.30 – 1pm
Admin Line: 6218 7900.
Only staffed from 9:00am to 1:00pm
every day.
Workers can phone the admin line to
discuss whether a referral is
appropriate or for urgent matters.
Legal Aid ACT
Helpline/Helpdesk
Advice – no grant of legal aid required
Clients can phone Helpline or drop
into Helpdesk.
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
2 Allsop street Canberra
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Email:
[email protected]
15
VICTIMS OF CRIME (FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE)
Service
Legal Aid ACT
Service Type
Advice and advocacy
No grant of Legal Aid required
Referral Process
Clients can phone Helpline or drop
into Helpdesk.
Helpline/Helpdesk
Contact Details
Helpline:
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Helpdesk:
Assistance in applying for a grant of legal
assistance for representation.
Email: [email protected]
Women’s Legal
Centre
Women only
Advice and Representation
Clients can phone advice line.
Workers can phone the admin line to
discuss referrals and urgent matters.
Reception:
Advice Line:
Hours:
6243 3411
6257 4499
1800 634 669
Mon to Fri 9.30 to 12.00
Admin:
Hours:
6257 4377
Mon to Fri 9.00 to 5.00
WILLS AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
Service
Public Trustee for
the ACT
Service Type
The Public Trustee can prepare wills and
enduring powers of attorney where the
Public Trustee has been nominated as the
executor and as the attorney for property
and financial matters.
Fees apply, see website for further
information
Referral Process
Have client contact Public Trustee
directly.
Contact Details
Phone:
6207 9800
Address:
Ground floor, 221 London
Circuit Canberra
Mon – Fri 9am to 4.30
Hours:
Website:
http://www.publictrustee.act.gov.au/
16
YOUTH LAW
Service
Youth Law Centre
Service Type
Clients must be aged 12-25 years.
Free and confidential legal advice,
information, referrals and minor assistance.
May make supported referrals to Legal Aid
for representation.
Referral Process
Accepts drop-in clients and referrals.
Advice, information and referrals on
all areas of law including Motor
Vehicle Accidents, Tenancy, Debt,
Family, Employment, and Criminal.
Contact Details
Phone:
6173 5410
Email:
[email protected]
Address:
Level 1, 14 Childers Street,
Canberra City
Monday to Friday 12:00pm – 4:00pm
LEGAL ASSISTANCE (NSW)
Service
Legal Aid ACT
Service Type
Family law and Criminal matters
that occurred in the ACT
Referral Process
Clients can phone Helpline or drop in
to Helpdesk.
Contact Details
Helpline:
Helpdesk:
Advice and representation
Grant of Legal Aid required
Clients must apply for a grant of Legal
Aid.
Free legal services in Phone LawAccess for referral to appropriate Phone or search website
NSW
agency, including Legal Aid NSW and CLCs
LawAccess
1300 654 314
9am to 4pm Mon to Fri
2 Allsop St Canberra City
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
6243 3411
Reception:
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: 1300 888 529
9am to 5pm Mon to Fri
Website:
www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/
17
LEGAL ASSISTANCE (NSW)
Service
Service Type
Referral Process
Queanbeyan Local
Court
Advice and representation in Queanbeyan
South East NSW
Women’s Legal
Service
Queanbeyan
Braidwood
Cooma
Bombala
Bega
Tenancy advice
Legal advice for women only.
SW Tenants Advice Service
Telephone advice:
Mon - Fri 9:00 - 5:00
Welfare Rights and
Legal Centre
Social security advice only
(no tenancy advice)
Disability discrimination advice
Clients can phone for advice
Contact Megan Dove
251 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan
Phone:
6284 3388
or phone:
1800 642 609
Phone: 6218 7977
Clients can phone for advice
Phone: 6218 7900
Street Law
(generalist advice for homeless clients)
Women only
Advice and Representation
Clients can phone for advice
Phone 6218 7995
Clients can phone advice line.
Advice Line:
Women’s Legal
Centre
Duty lawyer service provided by
private solicitors on a roster at
Queanbeyan Court. Phone court to
get a copy of roster.
Clients can phone for advice.
Contact Details
Areas of law include:
Family, domestic violence, employment,
tenancy, discrimination, victims
compensation, debt, Centrelink, power of
attorney and guardianship.
Face to face appointments Wednesdays
fortnightly in Queanbeyan, Family Law only
Phone:
6298 0409
Advice line operates:
Tuesday and Thursday
10.00am to 12.00 noon
Freecall:
1800 229 529
Hours:
6257 4499
1800 634 669
Mon to Fri 9.30 to 12.00
Admin:
Hours:
6257 4377
Mon to Fri 9.00 to 5.00
18
REFERRAL INFORMATION FORM
Referral Date:
Referring Organisation
Contact name: ................................................................................................................................................................
Organisation: ..................................................................................................................................................................
Phone:.......................................................................Email:............................................................................................
Client Information
Client name: ...................................................................................................................................................................
Address: .........................................................................................................................................................................
Phone:............................................................Email:.......................................................................................................
Date of Birth: .................................................................................................................................................................
Other Parties Details: .....................................................................................................................................................
Brief outline of client’s matter (attach additional pages if necessary)
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Referral Information for client
Your appointment is with:..............................................................................................................................................
on:...................................................................................................................Time:.......................................................
The address:....................................................................................................Phone:.....................................................
Please phone the following organisation and contact to make an appointment.
Organisation: ..................................................................................................................................................................
Contact:......................................................................................Phone:..........................................................................