Legal resources
Community Legal Centres
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COVID-19 legal help
Canberra Community Law have launched a website covering common legal areas that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Canberra Community Law
Canberra Community Law is a community legal centre providing legal services to people on low incomes or facing other disadvantage in Canberra and its region.
- Night Time Legal Advice Service provides information, referral or one-off legal advice in most areas of law. Call 6218 7999 or drop in (Tuesdays 6-8pm from February to December each year).
- The Dhurrawang Aboriginal Human Rights Program provides legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on ACT Public Housing, Centrelink and race discrimination. Call 6218 7900.
- Housing Law can provide free legal advice if you are having problems with Housing ACT or a community housing provider in the ACT. Call 6218 7977.
- Disability Discrimination Law can help if you have been discriminated against because of your disability. Call 6218 7918.
- Street Law provides legal help to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Call 6218 7995.
- Social Security Law can help you with Centrelink and Social Security matters if you are living in the ACT or south east NSW. Call 6218 7977.
- The Socio-Legal Practice Clinic can provide intensive legal and social work support. Call 6218 7900.
Canberra Community Law does not provide advice/assistance on:
- Private tenancy matters
- Immigration and refugee matters
- Matters involving neighbourhood disputes
- Family law property/settlement matters
- Workers compensation matters
- Matters which may lead to the eviction of a tenant (subject to limited exceptions, e.g. family violence)
- Advice to credit providers, landlords, or employers where the rights of creditors, tenants and employees may be at stake
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Women's Legal Centre (ACT & Region)
The Women’s Legal Centre is run by women and aims to improve women’s access to justice. Their main areas of practice are family law, domestic violence, victims of crime, employment and discrimination.
- The Centre offers free, confidential telephone advice Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12 noon. Call 6257 4499.
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Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT)
The Aboriginal Legal Service is an Aboriginal community organisation giving information and referral, and legal advice and court representation, to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children across NSW and ACT.
- Legal Aid ACT and the Aboriginal Legal Service staff a clinic to provide legal advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members on family law, care and protection, and general/civil matters. The clinic runs fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons, offering half hour advice sessions. Call 6249 8488 to make an appointment.
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Consumer Law Centre of the ACT
The Consumer Law Centre provides free legal advice and assistance to low and moderate income consumers, primarily in the areas of consumer credit, telecommunications and utilities, fair trading and consumer protection.
- The Consumer Debt Enforcement Clinic provides legal services to individual consumers affected by debts that are being enforced, or at risk of being enforced, in court. Call 6143 0044 to make an appointment.
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Environmental Defender's Office of the ACT
The Environmental Defender’s Office advises on environmental and planning law and aim to increase public awareness of environmental laws and remedies.
- They offer a free initial advice service of up to two hours on questions relating to the environmental law. Contact canberra@edo.org.au to make an appointment.
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Animal Defender's Office
The Animal Defenders Office specialises in animal law. They assist individuals and groups with matters affecting animals and their (human) defenders.
Courts & Tribunals
Legal professional bodies
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ACT and region
- The ACT Bar Association represents and regulates barristers in the ACT.
- The Women Lawyers Association of the ACT promotes of the interests of women lawyers in the ACT.
- The Family Law Pathways Network (FLPN) is a national program for professionals working with separated or separating families.
- The Canberra Region Family Law Professionals Association (CRFLPA) is an association for all of those with an interest in family law.
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National
- The Law Council of Australia is the peak body representing the Australian legal profession on national and international issues, on federal law and the operation of federal courts and tribunals.
- The Australian Bar Association is the peak body representing barristers throughout Australia.
- The Association of Corporate Council promotes the common professional and business interests of in-house counsel.
- The Australian Government Legal Service is a professional network for government lawyers.
- Australian Lawyers Alliance is a national association of lawyers, academics and other professionals dedicated to protecting and promoting justice, freedom and the rights of the individual.
- Australian Women Lawyers is the peak body for women lawyers associations throughout Australia.
- The Asian Australian Lawyers Association focuses on Asian Australian lawyers in the profession, as well as other lawyers with an interest in Asia.
- The Australian Law Students' Association represents and supports law students in Australia.
- The Australasian Cyber Law Institute is a community of legal professionals, legal educators, law graduates and law students with an interest in cyber law.
- The Disabled Australian Lawyers Association advocates for greater representation and inclusion of disabled people in the legal profession.