Name of the Organization : Legal Aid ACT
Type of Facility : Apply For Legal Assistance
Country : Australia
Website : http://legalaidact.org.au/
Apply For Legal Assistance:
We provide the two main types of legal assistance:
Legal information, legal advice and other help with minor legal problems. These services are free of charge. If you want legal information, legal advice and other help please call the Legal Aid Helpline on 1300 654 314 or come in to our office at the address below.
Related : Northern Territory Commission Applying For Legal Aid : www.statusin.org/7040.html
Grants of assistance for a lawyer to represent you in court or for other major legal problems. Grants of assistance are subject to means, legal merit and other eligibility tests and may be subject to payment of a contribution
Apply Here : http://legalaidact.org.au/
Legal Assistance Guidelines:
Legal assistance is available under section 28 of the Act for representation in legal proceedings if:
1. the person needs legal assistance but can’t afford a private lawyer (Means test); and
2. it is a type of case in which legal assistance may be granted (Guidelines); and
3. it is reasonable in all circumstances to provide the assistance (Reasonableness test).
Means test:
In deciding whether you are in need of assistance because you cannot afford to pay a private lawyer the Commission applies a means test which looks at your income, expenses, assets and liabilities (see The Means Test section of the Guidelines).
Guidelines:
The Legal Assistance Guidelines are made by the Commission under section 12 of the Act and explains the types of matters in which assistance may be provided.
Reasonableness test:
The reasonableness test is set out in section 28 of the Legal Aid Act 1977 and provides that legal assistance may be granted only if it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so. In making a decision whether it is reasonable in all the circumstances to provide legal assistance regard is had to the benefit the person may receive from legal assistance, any disadvantage they may suffer if assistance is not granted, and if assistance is sought for legal proceedings, whether the outcome of the proceedings is likely to be favourable to the person. In applying this test the Commission has regard to all relevant circumstances including whether:
1. A prudent self-funding litigant would risk their own financial resources in funding the matter for which legal assistance is sought; and
2. The costs involved in providing the assistance are warranted by the likely benefit to the applicant or, in appropriate circumstances, the community.
Assistance will usually be provided to a person if the means and reasonableness tests are satisfied, and the matter is covered by the Guidelines. However, in providing legal assistance Legal Aid ACT must have regard to the amount of money available in the legal aid fund and when funds are limited Legal Aid ACT may have to refuse or limit assistance in matters which would, but for lack of funds, qualify for assistance.
Applications for legal assistance must be made in writing on the prescribed form. Application forms can be obtained from Legal Aid ACT’s office or website, or from welfare organisations and many private law firms.
Community Legal Education:
This program aims to raise community awareness about legal aid services and the law in general. Presentations on a range of topics are available for schools, colleges, social clubs and community groups. Call 6243 3475 for more information
Legal Aid Helpline : 1300 654 314