Free Legal Help in Prison
It is sometimes hard to know which legal service you need to talk to. We have included the available free legal services in the ACT and the legal areas they can help you in.
To make it easier for you we have also included the prison phone extension number (look for #)so that you can call the legal service for free (where this is an option).
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Aboriginal Legal Service – #39 or 6249 8488 Criminal and family law
Canberra Community Law’s Dhurrawang Program – #48 or 6218 7977 Race discrimination, Centrelink and public housing
Housing and Centrelink
Canberra Community Law – #48 or 6218 7977 For ACT public housing, community housing and occupancy agreements and Centrelink matters
Canberra Community Law’s Dhurrawang Program – #48 or 6218 7977 For Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Legal Aid ACT – #75 or 1300 654 314 For ACT private rentals
Criminal law
Street Law – #48 or 6218 7995 For minor criminal offences if you’re homeless or at risk of homelessness
Legal Aid ACT – #75 or #49 (existing clients) or 1300 654 314 For all criminal matters
Aboriginal Legal Service – #39 or 6249 8488 For criminal matters if you are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
McKenna Taylor -0413 458 650 For free representation for women – parole matters only
Victims of Crime Financial Assistance and Protection Orders
Legal Aid ACT Domestic Violence and Personal Protection Unit – #75 or 1300 654 314 For Domestic Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders
Women’s Legal Centre – #95 or 6257 4499 For Domestic Violence Orders, Personal Protection Orders and Victims of Crime financial assistance for women only
Legal Aid ACT – #75 or 1300 654 314 Victims of Crime financial assistance
Debts, fines and consumer matters
Street Law – #48 or 6218 7995 For people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
The Consumer Law Centre of the ACT – 6143 0044
CARE Financial Counselling Services – #13 or 1800 007 007
Legal Aid ACT – #75 or 1300 654 314
Family law
Divorce, separation, property settlement, child custody, care and protection
Legal Aid ACT – #75 or 1300 654 314
Women’s Legal Centre – #95 or 6257 4499 Available to women only
Aboriginal Legal Service – #39 or 6249 8488 Available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Employment law
Street Law – #48 or 6218 7995 For people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
Legal Aid ACT – #75 or 1300 654 314
Women’s Legal Centre – #95 or 6257 4499 Available to women only
Discrimination
Canberra Community Law’s Disability Discrimination Lawyer – #48 or 6218 7918 For disability discrimination matters
Canberra Community Law’s Dhurrawang Program – #48 or 6218 7977 Race discrimination matters for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Legal Aid ACT – #75 or 1300 654 314
Women’s Legal Centre – #95 or 6257 4499 Available to women only
If you’re not sure who to contact about your legal problem, you can also email Street Law on streetlaw@canberracommunitylaw.org.au
Please include your name, date of birth and a brief description of your legal issue (including the name of any other parties to your matter). If we can’t help you, we’ll put you in touch with someone who can.
To add Street Law to your approved email list you will need to complete the AMC ‘Request to alter, add email and web addresses’ form. Please put Michelle Barclay as the contact name and 6218 7995 as the contact number.