CovidPolicing.org.au does not provide legal advice. However, below is a list of legal support contacts who may be able to assist.
Please note: The following list of legal services and firms are not endorsed in any way by the project. They are suggestions only. Some services are free, others may act in a pro-bono, no win-no fee basis or may charge fees. We strongly suggest that you check carefully if the practice you contact can assist you and what the costs (if any) may be. Please ask these questions when you first make contact.
In addition to the list below, Community Legal Centres (CLCs) are independent community organisations that provide free and confidential legal services to the public. They help people who are ineligible for legal aid and cannot afford a private lawyer. They can provide free legal information, advice and in some cases ongoing assistance to you. You can find a local CLC by searching your area here.
Please expand your State or Territory below to find legal support contacts.
Fitzroy Legal Service
Fitzroy Legal Service is a community legal centre.
0434 134 501 for COVID-19 legal advice
(03) 9419 3744 for general enquiries
PO Box 297, Fitzroy 3065
fitzroy-legal.org.au
Police Accountability Project
(03) 9376 4355
[email protected]
PO Box 487, Flemington, 3031
policeaccountability.org.au
Robinson Gill Lawyers
Robertson Gill specialise in civil claims of police misconduct, assault, and wrongful arrest. You may be able to bring a claim for compensation against the police if you have experienced serious police misconduct. You’re not always required to have a physical injury to bring a claim. You may have suffered shock or psychological injury as a result of the police misconduct.
1800 745 342 or (03) 9890 3321
PO Box 140, Box Hill, 3128
robinsongill.com.au
Victoria Legal Aid
If you have a legal problem, or want to find out information about the law, Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) may be able to help. VLA offers free advice on what you may need to do to solve your legal problem, although it does not give legal advice on all matters. Contact the Legal Help phoneline for free information about the law and how they can help you. It’s open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
1300 792 387
legalaid.vic.gov.au
COVID Rights
Have you been accused by the police for breaching Coronavirus regulations? Are you concerned about being arrested or fined? Unsure what you can and can’t do while Coronavirus laws are in place? COVID Rights can help you navigate the legal landscape we’re currently in. The legal team know the legislation and know your rights. You can contact them for a free e-mail or phone consultation.
+612 7911 3262
[email protected]
covidrights.com.au
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
VALS provides legal assistance and support to Aboriginal people across Victoria. They have offices in Melbourne, Ballarat, Bairnsdale, Mildura, Shepparton, Morwell and Swan Hill.
1800 064 865
vals.org.au
Redfern Legal Centre
Redfern Legal Centre provides a state-wide service in relation to complaints about police and the security industry.
(02) 9698 7277
Redfern Town Hall, 73 Pitt Street, Redfern NSW 2016
rlc.org.au
Peter O’Brien Solicitors
(02) 9261 4281 or 0421 373 961 (24 hour phone/SMS)
Suite 504, Level 5, 233 Castlereagh Street, Sydney 2000
obriensolicitors.com.au
Legal Aid NSW
Legal Aid NSW provides legal advice and assistance to people who have a complaint about the way they have been treated by police. Free legal advice is available at a number of civil advice clinics around Sydney and New South Wales.
1300 888 529
legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Sydney Criminal Lawyers
Sydney Criminal Lawyers is a legal network with offices across the Sydney Metropolitan Area and beyond, including Sydney City, Liverpool, Parramatta, Penrith, Bankstown, Chatswood, Newcastle and Wollongong.
(02) 9261 8881 (24hr access)
(02) 9264 0880
sydneycriminallawyers.com.au
The National Justice Project
We apply our expertise to advancing human rights by representing and giving voice to the vulnerable who would otherwise be unable to find legal representation.
+61 2 9304 0373
[email protected]
PO Box 587 Woollahra NSW 1350
justice.org.au
Community Legal Centres NSW
If you’ve been affected by COVID-19 policing in NSW and need legal help then a Community Legal Centre may be able to assist. To find a Community Legal Centre in your area you can call the Law Access Helpline or check the online directory on the Community Legal Centres NSW website.
1300 888 529
clcnsw.org.au
COVID Rights
Have you been accused by the police for breaching Coronavirus regulations? Are you concerned about being arrested or fined? Unsure what you can and can’t do while Coronavirus laws are in place? COVID Rights can help you navigate the legal landscape we’re currently in. The legal team know the legislation and know your rights. You can contact them for a free e-mail or phone consultation.
+612 7911 3262
[email protected]
covidrights.com.au
Legal Aid ACT
The Legal Aid ACT Helpline is a free, confidential phone service that will connect you to a paralegal. The Legal Aid Helpline operates Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Helpline Paralegals can provide you with legal information, help you work out what to do next to resolve your legal problem, organise appointments for you to obtain free legal advice, tell you the best the place to go for more help, send you information and resources relating to your legal problem, and send you an application form for a grant of legal assistance.
1300 654 314
legalaidact.org.au
Canberra Community Law
(02) 6218 7900
Level 1, 21 Barry Dr, Turner
canberracommunitylaw.org.au
ACT Law Society
ACT Community Legal Centres are continuing to deliver essential legal assistance and other support to the most vulnerable members of the Canberra community during the current COVID-19 outbreak. All ACT CLC services are free. All ACT Community Legal Services are currently delivering services by phone, video or online.
Crime and Corruption Commission
The Commission has investigative, law enforcement, intelligence, witness protection, adjudicative and research functions that encompass almost all aspects of the criminal justice system.
(07) 3360 6060 or 1800 061 611
(07) 3360 6333
GPO Box 3123, Brisbane QLD 4001
ccc.qld.gov.au
Queensland Community Legal Centres
Community Legal Centres Queensland provides support and advocacy for 34 independent, community legal centres operating across Queensland. The centres provide free information, legal assistance and referral, representation and casework, community education and advocacy for vulnerable clients and communities.
(07) 3392 0092
PO Box 12102 George St, Brisbane QLD 4003
communitylegalqld.org.au
LawRight
LawRight is an independent, not-for-profit, community-based legal organisation that operates a civil law referral service for pro bono legal representation and direct legal services for particular disadvantaged client groups.
(07) 3738 7800
(07) 3846 6311
[email protected]
PO Box 12217, George Street QLD 4003
lawright.org.au
Legal Aid Queensland
You can get free legal information to help you work out your legal problem by calling the Legal Aid Queensland Client Information Service Centre. They will listen to your problem and may be able to give you some general legal information to help you. They’ll also tell you about our services and how to access them. If your problem is more serious, and you meet our eligibility criteria, you can arrange to talk to a lawyer at a legal advice session.
1300 65 11 88
legalaid.qld.gov.au
Caxton Legal Centre
Community Legal Centre offering free legal advice and assistance to people in the Brisbane area. The centre also has useful COVID-19 related legal resources on their website.
(07) 3214 6333
1 Manning Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101
caxton.org.au
Community Legal Centres SA
Community Legal Centres provide free legal advice, assistance and referral to community members who might otherwise not get the help the deserve. At each centre qualified solicitors, legal advisors and support staff will take the time to explain your legal obligations, your rights and your options. To find a Community Legal Centre in your area please visit the Community Legal Centres SA website.
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement
The Aboriginal Legal Rights movement provides legal assistance to Aboriginal people across SA.
1800 643 222
alrm.org.au
Launceston Community Legal Centre
1800 066 019
Suite 17, Level 1, 97a York St, Launceston 7250
lclc.net.au
Hobart Community Legal
(03) 6223 2500
166 Macquarie St, Hobart
hobartlegal.org.au
North-West Community Legal Centre
The NWCLC is a free one-off advice and referral legal service to residents on the North West Coast of Tasmania.
(03) 6424 8720
56 Formby Road, Devonport
nwclc.org.au
Womens Legal Service Tasmania
Our telephone advice line is the first point of contact for all legal advice and assistance. All calls are completely confidential. The line operates between 10:00am and 4:00pm each weekday. Outside of these hours, you can leave a message with your name and number, and they will call you back.
1800 682 468
56 Formby Road, Devonport
womenslegaltas.org.au
COVID Rights
Have you been accused by the police for breaching Coronavirus regulations? Are you concerned about being arrested or fined? Unsure what you can and can’t do while Coronavirus laws are in place? COVID Rights can help you navigate the legal landscape we’re currently in. The legal team know the legislation and know your rights. You can contact them for a free e-mail or phone consultation.
+612 7911 3262
[email protected]
covidrights.com.au
Legal Aid Western Australia
Legal Aid WA is the public face of the Legal Aid Commission of Western Australia, with support staff in 9 offices covering Perth and regional Western Australia.
1300 650 579
PO Box L916, Perth 6842 WA
legalaid.wa.gov.au
Community Legal Western Australia
28 community legal centres are located throughout metropolitan, regional and remote Western Australia. If you need legal assistance you can use the directory on the website link below to find a community legal centre in your area.
Aboriginal Legal Service
1800 019 900
als.org.au
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) delivers legal services to Aboriginal people throughout the Northern Territory.
1800 898 251 or (08) 8982 5100
GPO Box 1064, Darwin 0801
naaja.org.au
Darwin Custody: 0410 633 261
Throughcare: 1800 321 201
Katherine: 1800 897 728
Katherine Custody: 0407 612 426
Alice Springs: 1800 636 079
Top End Women’s Legal Service
The Top End Women’s Legal Service provides free and confidential legal advice, community legal education and advocacy on issues of importance to women in the Top End.
1800 234 441
tewls.org.au
NT Legal Aid Commission
The NT Legal Aid Commission provides legal services to Territorians with offices in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. You can get free and confidential legal information, referral to other services and legal advice.
1800 019 343
legalaid.nt.gov.au
Darwin Community Legal Service
Darwin Community Legal Service publishes useful fact sheets about a range of legal topics. The service also provides a range of free legal and advocacy services.
1800 812 953
dcls.org.au
Office of the Ombudsman
Police oversight body within the Northern Territory. Information available in Aboriginal and foreign languages. Complaints can be lodged with us online, in person (will resume shortly) or by telephone, as below.
1800 806 380 or 8999 1818
[email protected]
Floor 6, NT House, 22 Mitchell St, Darwin NT 0800
GPO Box 1344, Darwin NT 0801
ombudsman.nt.gov.au