Free Legal Advice Christchurch Nz

Depending on the nature of the case, you can access different legal services. Try the following as a starting point: Do you have a legal problem? Maybe we can help. We are lawyers and we are also community workers. We listen carefully, are supportive of whānau and help you find solutions that make you feel comfortable. We are passionate about ensuring that everyone in Aotearoa, no matter how little money you have, has access to justice and true equality. Each community law centre operates differently – some give legal advice over the phone, others run walk-in legal clinics, and some ask you to make an appointment in advance. Community law is present throughout the country, from Kaitāia to Rēkohu (Chathams). We offer all kinds of free legal aid, from easy-to-understand information to community workshops and personal legal aid. Depending on your situation, we may be able to provide you with free and ongoing legal assistance. First, come see a lawyer at your local community law center. We offer free personal legal help to people who do not have a lot of money – for example, if you are receiving a benefit or have a low income. We help people with particularly serious legal problems – for example, if you have a crisis problem or if children or other vulnerable people are at risk. The answer can be found in the Handbook on Community Law Online.

Check out our easy-to-follow guides to various areas of law. Find and customize a legal letter and solve your problem yourself Whether you`re struggling to babysit or share your children, struggling to deal with WINZ, fines or debts, being sued, or dealing with another type of legal issue, the first and most important step is often to seek help. Buy a copy of our practical legal guide, the Handbook of Community Law. Book a legal training workshop at your local community law centre Community Law has some of the best lawyers in the country, and we`re free. Legal aid is public funding of legal aid when the client cannot afford to pay. Affordability is based on an assessment formula and your eligibility depends on a combination of your income and wealth. Most legal aid clients are required by law to pay the first $50 for their legal fees. Some clients have to repay their assistance to the Department of Justice, but this is assessed on a case-by-case basis and in turn depends on your income and wealth. To find out if you are eligible, visit the Department of Justice website.

From time to time, you may need legal advice and assistance. In New Zealand, all lawyers must hold an up-to-date certificate of professional training to practise as lawyers. Legal problems can be serious and frightening, and for many people, lawyers are completely invaluable. But everyone has the right to quality legal aid – that is where Community law comes in. Part 1: Initial consultation with a lawyer. This advice addresses the client`s legal rights and obligations and their legal options regarding the next steps they can take to resolve their dispute. After contacting your local community law centre, talk to a lawyer who is right for you and your legal problem. Community law lawyers who volunteer have a great deal of experience and a strong sense of social justice. They are used to all kinds of legal issues. They understand the importance of listening first, then helping you enforce your rights and find an appropriate solution.

Our online resources and community workshops are for all New Zealanders. However, our goal is to provide free personal legal aid to people who don`t have a lot of money – for example, if you`re receiving a benefit or have a low income. Our goal is also to help vulnerable people – for example, if you have housing difficulties or if you are living with violence. Community law assists in all sorts of legal matters, from employment, family and housing to criminal cases, human rights and Maori land. In general, we do not help with problems with your property or business. Provides free legal advice to all children and adolescents under the age of 25. We also offer legal assistance to people who face particular challenges, such as if you have difficulty reading, have a disability or mobility issues, or live with a mental illness. If further advice or legal action is needed as a result of these matters, you may have to pay privately, unless you are eligible to apply for legal aid. The SAFD is funded by the government and there is no requirement for reimbursement.

To find out if you are eligible, visit the Department of Justice website. Not sure whether Community law is the right service for you? Take a look at what we do, who we are and how we can help you Part 2: Help filling out court forms (if one party makes an application to the court or responds to a request from the other party). The services provided by the legal aid team include all family law matters – paternity, adoption, parenting orders, guardianship, custody issues where the Ministry of Children at Risk, Oranga Tamariki, (“MVCOT”) deals with families, domestic violence (protection orders) and relational assets (including attribution or “pre-nuptial” agreements and relationship separation agreements). If necessary, the legal aid team can work with other Linwood Law teams to provide a comprehensive service to our clients. We also work with a variety of social service and support providers. There are 24 Community Law Centres in New Zealand. Most community law centres offer outreach services or clinics in smaller communities. You can contact your local centre directly to make a request or make an appointment. The Citizens` Advisory Office is an independent service and is accessible to everyone on any subject. FAS is an alternative to legal aid for parenting or guardianship disputes where there is no imminent risk of harm or hardship to the child or children and, therefore, making orders at this stage may not be appropriate. Funding is provided in two parts for recipients. If you have problems with your job, legal aid is available to employees.

However, it is not available to employers. On request, the team takes care of private work for employers. There are 83 Citizen Advisory Offices across New Zealand. To the Citizens Advice Bureau website (external link) If you are unsure, call Linwood Law and ask for a referral to the legal aid team, who can help you with the application process. Your lawyer or clerk will help you find the best way to move forward with you. Depending on your situation, we may be able to help you with more intensive and ongoing advocacy. The need to provide access to justice for all members of the community is a fundamental principle of the Linwood Law team. In this context, a new family and labour law legal aid service was launched in February 2017. Enter and see a lawyer at your local community law center. Depending on your local community law centre, you will see a lawyer who has experience in a particular area (such as employment law or criminal law) or a lawyer with whom you may feel more comfortable (such as a Maori lawyer).