Information and Education

Information and Education is delivered in many different ways at Legal Aid ACT such as through brochures, factsheets and presentations delivered to the community. 

To find out more phone our Helpline on 1300 654 314 and they will connect you to our Community Education and Information Officer.

Email community.education@legalaidact.org.au to join the monthly CLE Newsletter. 

Upcoming Events

 

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Community Legal Education (CLE)

Legal Aid ACT runs free information sessions to help you better understand your legal rights and how the legal system works. If you want to stay informed on upcoming CLE, we now have a monthly CLE newsletter. If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, please email community.education@legalaidact.org.au

We deliver talks and information sessions tailored for schools and community groups. We also run information sessions specifically for workers within community organisations such and hospitals and aged-care facilities, so they can better assist clients identify and address legal problems. 

  • About Legal Aid
  • Cybersafety
  • Dealing with the police
  • Drinking and Drugs law
  • Elder abuse
  • Employment law
  • Family Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders
  • Free legal services in the ACT
  • Going to court
  • Migration Law
  • Neighbourhood disputes
  • Separation, divorce and contact with children
  • Wills, powers of attorney, and guardianship orders
  • Young people and the law

Phone our Helpline on 1300 654 314 to talk about booking us in. 

Due to COVID-19, many of our information sessions are taking place online. Please see our Facebook page for updated information and links to join a session here. If you are unsure about how to access, please call our Helpline on 1300 654 314.

Free Information Sessions

Legal Aid ACT hold free information sessions on a range of topics:

  • Family Law: Divorce
  • Family Law: Property
  • Family Law: Children

To find out more about these sessions phone our Helpline on 1300 654 314. 

Due to COVID-19, the free information sessions are taking place online. Please see below for our upcoming sessions:

Family Law Information Sessions:

Free family law online information session 2023

 

Call our free Helpline on 1300 654 314 to RSVP for a session. RSVP closes at 5pm the day before a session is scheduled to take place. 

Law for Non-Lawyers

Each semester we run a number of training sessions on a range topics aimed at workers in the community sector. Due to COVID-19, the Law for Non-Lawyers series is taking place via Microsoft Teams. Please see our Facebook page for updated information and links to join a session here. If you are unsure about how to access, please call our Helpline on 1300 654 314.

2023 schedule coming soon

Factsheets and Resources

If you need help in understanding legal words, please see our Legal Words dictionary. For a guide to the free or low-cost legal services in Canberra, see the Free Law Directory

If you would like to view the resources we have available in video format, visit our Video Channel.

We have a number of publications on a variety of legal problems, available online below or you can call the Helpline on 1300 654 314 and we will send them to you. 

All of our factsheets are intended to be used as a guide only and not as legal advice. Please contact the Legal Aid Helpline if you need legal advice. For information on the types of legal problems Legal Aid ACT can provide advice on, visit Legal Advice

The factsheets are presented in Portable Document Format, or PDF. If you are having trouble viewing them, please download a free copy of Adobe Reader by clicking the below image or call our Helpline on 1300 654 314 between 9.00am and 5.00pm weekdays and we will send to you.

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Get Acrobat Reader

 

About Legal Aid ACT

For further information about Legal Aid ACT, return to the homepage of this website. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Applying for a grant of legal aid?

If you need more than one-off legal advice, you will need to apply for a grant of legal assistance. Visit Applying for Legal Aid for information provided on our website. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Please note that the Application for Legal Assistance form is now available online - Application for Legal Assistance form.

Are you separating or getting a divorced?

Family law is the area of law that deals with family matters such as divorce, property and children. The Family Advocacy Support Service can also provide legal and non-legal assistance if you or a family member have experienced, used or alleged to have used family violence in your relationship and need help with a family law, child protection or family violence order. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Family Violence, Family Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders

Legal Aid ACT provides a range of legal and non-legal support services for people experiencing or at risk of family violence. Family Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders are made by the court to protect a person from future assaults, threats of violence, property damage, stalking acts and acts of indecency, harassment and offensive conduct by another person.

The Family Advocacy Support Service can provide legal and non-legal assistance if you or a family member have experienced, used or alleged to have used family violence in your relationship and need help with a family law, child protection or family violence order. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Police, Crime and Court

If you have been charged with a crime phone our Helpline for a free appointment the lawyer will be able to give you some initial advice and talk to you about what will happen.

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

  • Video: What is an Associate (ACT Magistrates Court)?

  • Video: What is a Duty Lawyer (ACT Magistrates Court)?

  • Video: What is the role of the Prosecution (ACT Magistrates Court)?

  • Video: What is a 'self-represented' litigant (ACT Magistrates Court)?

Child Protection (CYPS)

The four videos below are for families who have been contacted by Child and Youth Protection Services (CYPS) and want to know about the steps and their rights.

If you need legal help, call us on 1300 654 314. 

  • Video 1: The steps of Child and Youth Protection Services - Step 1

  • Video 2: The steps of Child and Youth Protection Services - Step 2, 3 and 4

  • Video 3: The steps of Child and Youth Protection Services - Step 5 and 6 (part one)

  • Video 4: The steps of Child and Youth Protection Services - Step 6 (part two)

Capacity 

There is no single legal definition of capacity. The legal definition of capacity depends upon the type of decision being made. There are a variety of legal tests of capacity that are always assessed by reference to the capacity to do something, such as enter into a contract, make a will, or provide instructions to a lawyer.

The ACT Capacity Toolkit is for you if you have concerns about the ability of an adult to make decisions for themselves.

The Capacity Guidelines are for legal practitioners who need to ascertain whether a client has capacity for the decision being made. 

Click on the title to download the Toolkit or Guidelines. 

Resources for Older People

Legal Aid does not provide assistance in writing wills or administering a deceased estate. However we can give you advice and help you identify issues related to wills and the procedures for the administration of an estate. For specialist legal advice for older people, Legal Aid ACT now has the Older Persons ACT Legal Service

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Resources for Younger People

The Youth Law Centre is the best place to get information if you are between the ages of 12 and 25. The number to contact the Youth law Centre is (02) 6173 5410. 

Resources for Migrants and Refugees

The Community Liaison Unit helps people in the community access the legal services provided by Legal Aid ACT, other legal services in the ACT and non-legal support services. 

Work Problems

Legal Aid ACT operates an employment law clinic. The clinic runs each Friday. If you have been dismissed from work phone our Helpline on 1300 654 314 as soon as you can as short time frames can apply.

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Neighbourhood Disputes

Legal Aid ACT can give legal advice on Neighbourhood disputes. Make a free 30 minute appointment by calling the Helpline on 1300 654 314.

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

NDIS

Legal Aid ACT can give legal advice and assistance for both NDIA Reviews and AAT Applications. Call the Helpline on 1300 654 314 to get help. 

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS)

Free, independent legal support to participate in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS) is a free national service that provides independent information and legal advice to support Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, as well as their families, carers and supporters, to safely share their experiences with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Call the Defence and Veterans Legal Service on 1800 33 1800 or visit their website defenceveteranslegalservice.org.au

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Cars and Driving

Tenancy

Legal Aid ACT can give legal advice and assistance to tenants in the ACT through the Tenancy Advice Service ACT. Call the Helpline on 1300 654 314 to get help. See the Tenancy Advice Service ACT page for more information.

Click on the title to download the pamphlet or factsheet. 

Useful Documents

Sample Letters

Sample letters are in Word format so you can edit and use them for your own situation

Bushfire Resources

These factsheets are designed to help your preparation for bushfire season in the ACT. If you have concerns about bushfire season, how to legally prepare, or what your rights and obligations are, please call the free Legal Aid Helpline on 1300 654 314.

Other Legal Issues

Comic Book series

The aim of these Comic Books is to help people to better understand the law on topics that most affect them in a short and easy to read format. 

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Tenancy comic - problems with my landlord (page 1 of 4). CLICK THIS LINK TO READ THE FULL COMIC.

 

Animated Videos

About Legal Aid ACT

 

Family Violence

 

Tenancy 

Regular Outreach and Community Legal Education Locations

Do you have a legal problem? Or an issue that could become a legal problem? Come and have a free chat with Legal Aid and find out how to fix it. 

 

North Side Outreach Locations

Salvation Army City Branch (1 Elder Street, Braddon)

In-person Legal Help at the Salvation army church in Braddon. no appointment necessary - just drop in!

  • 11am to 1pm on 11 July 2022
  • 11am to 1pm on 25 July 2022
  • 11am to 1pm on 8 August 2022
  • 11am to 1pm on 22 August 2022
  • 11am to 1pm on 5 September 2022
  • 11am to 1pm 19 September 2022
  • 11am to 1pm on 17 October 2022
  • 11am to 1pm on 31 October 2022
  • 11am to 1pm on 14 November 2022
  • 11am to 1pm on 28 November 2022
  • 11am to 1pm on 12 December 2022

 

Ainslie Village (26 Quick Street, Campbell)

In-person Legal Help at Ainslie Village Main Foyer. No appointment necessary - just drop in!

  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 14 July 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 28 July 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 11 August 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 25 August 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 8 September 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm 22 September 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 6 October 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 20 October 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 3 November 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 17 November 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 1 December 2022
  • 10:30am to 12:30pm on 15 December 2022

 

Communities at Work Food Pantry Gungahlin (47 Ernest Cavanagh St, Gungahlin)

In-person Legal Help at Communities at Work Food Pantry. No appointment necessary - just drop in!

  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 18 July 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 1 August 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 15 August 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 29 August 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 12 September 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm 26 September 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 10 October 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 24 October 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 7 November 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 21 November 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 5 December 2022
  • 12:00pm to 2:00pm on 19 December 2022

 

Ted Noffs Program For Adolescent Life Management (PALM) (350 Antil Street Watson)

In-person Community Legal Education Sessions and Outreach for residents undergoing treatment at PALM. Sessions take place every Thursday afternoon. These sessions are not open to the general public.

 

Bimberi Youth Justice Centre (Morisset Road, Kenny)

In-person Community Legal Education Sessions and Outreach for students at Murrumbidgee School on alternate Monday

afternoons. These sessions are not open to the general public.