Family law assistance across NSW agencies
Agency | Info | Advice | Assistance with forms | FDR (Family Dispute Resolution) | Drafting Affidavits | Representation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Local Courts (Chamber Registrars) | ![]() | ![]() | ||||
LawAccess | ![]() | ![]() callers may be referred to an in-house lawyer if they are priority customers, or in other cases if there is capacity | ![]() only limited telephone assistance — which form to use, terminology, verbal advice about how to word applications for orders | |||
Legal Aid NSW | ![]() | ![]() no means test | ![]() can give general assistance with forms as part of minor assistance | ![]() can grant aid for FDR subject to eligibility, i.e. means, merit and availability of funds tests | ![]() as part of grant of aid for representation | ![]() subject to eligibility, i.e. means, merit and availability of funds tests. ![]() Family law duty solicitor schemes operate at all registries of the Family Court to assist unrepresented litigants — they are not subject to eligibility tests |
CLCs | ![]() | ![]() most CLCs can provide one-off advice. Womens Legal Services offer statewide phone advice in family law for women | ![]() some CLCs provide assistance with forms — check with LawAccess (or refer to attached list) | ![]() only a limited number of CLCs — check with LawAccess (or refer to attached list) | ![]() very limited family law representation only available at a limited number of CLCs — check with LawAccess (or refer to attached list) | |
ALS (Family law practice closed from 1 July 08) | ![]() | |||||
(still considering) | ||||||
Law Society Pro Bono | ![]() need to meet eligibility require- ments | ![]() need to meet eligibility requirements | ![]() not property, and need to meet eligibility requirements eg have been refused legal aid, has reasonable prospects, means | |||
Bar Legal Assistance Referral Scheme | ![]() need to meet guidelines | ![]() need to meet guidelines ie have been refused legal aid and means test | ||||
Family Court | ![]() through website, telephone, email, and at Registries | ![]() limited to telephone and email assistance | ![]() Legal Aid family law duty solicitor schemes operate at all registries of the Family Court to assist unrepresented litigants — they are not subject to eligibility tests. |
Last updated January 2009 — please email updates to nlaf@lawfoundation.net.au