Getting legal aid
Legal aid is government funding to pay for legal help for people who cannot afford a lawyer. It is available for people facing criminal charges, and those with a civil legal problem or private dispute (including family matters) that may go to court, as well as for Waitangi Tribunal proceedings.
You don’t have to be a New Zealand citizen or be living here permanently to be eligible for legal aid.
You may have to pay some or all of your legal aid back.
There are two main types of legal aid with different application forms and processes:
To apply for civil/family legal aid, start by contacting the lawyer you would like to represent you. You must first check that this lawyer does legal aid work.
You can apply for criminal legal aid as soon as you are charged with an offence or receive a summons to appear in court. Go to the reception desk at the nearest District Court and ask to see a legal aid suppport officer or call your nearest Legal Aid office for help.
