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 family dispute (including family matters) that may go to court, as well as for the Waitangi Tribunal.
Find out more about Legal Aid
Legal Aid for people involved in family disputes
- Legal Aid is government funding to pay for a lawyer for people who cannot afford one, and need one in the interests of justice. Legal aid may be available for people involved in family disputes. Legal aid is not available for dissolution of marriage proceedings.
- People who get legal aid may have to pay a user charge and repay part or all of their legal aid costs. In this sense it is a bit like a loan.
Before you apply for Legal Aid
- It may be possible to resolve your family legal problems without going to court, either by talking directly to the other person involved or with the help of a counsellor or mediator.
- When children are going into the care of grandparents or whānau/kin carers, lengthy court disputes can be harmful for children, so it is worth considering alternatives.
Getting a family Legal Aid lawyer
Can I get family Legal Aid?
- Whether you can get Legal Aid will mainly depend on any arrears from a previous Legal Aid debt, your income and assets, any dependants and debt you may have, and the type of legal dispute you are involved with.
- Find out more about eligibility for Legal Aid
What to expect from your Legal Aid lawyer
Repaying Legal Aid
- People who get Legal Aid may have to repay part or all of their Legal Aid costs. This is case by case, all circumstances are different and are treated as such.
- Find out more about repaying Legal Aid
Making a complaint or asking for a review