Learn about who we are and what we do. On this page |
What we do
Legal Aid Commission (ACT) (Legal Aid) helps people who:
- live in the ACT or have a case in an ACT Court or Tribunal; and
- need legal help but can’t afford a private lawyer.
Our mission is to promote a just society in the ACT by:
- making sure people who are vulnerable or disadvantaged can get legal help to stand up for their rights;
- helping the community better understand the law; and
- working to change laws that unfairly impact the people we support.
We work towards this mission by providing high-quality legal services that respect diversity and help build trust in the legal system.
Our services include:
- legal advice and assistance
- dispute resolution services
- information and referral services
- duty lawyer services
- representation in courts and tribunals, where a grant of legal assistance is approved
- community legal education
- submissions on issues of law reform.
Read the Legal Aid ACT Strategic Plan 2024-2027.
Read the Legal Aid ACT annual reports.
Our structure
Legal Aid is an independent statutory authority established under the Legal Aid Act 1977. Legal Aid’s functions are to provide legal assistance in the ACT in accordance with the Act.
Commissioners
Legal Aid is governed by a board of eight Commissioners, including the Chief Executive Officer. Find out about the current commissioners.
Executive
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr John Boersig.
The CEO is a statutory office holder appointed by the Board of Commissioners.
Legal Practice
Our legal practice consists of four practice areas:
- Criminal Practice
- Family Practice
- Civil Justice Practice
- Early Intervention Practice
There is a strict information barrier between the legal practices.
Client services
Client services assesses and assigns grants of legal aid to our practice areas and to private lawyers who are part of our general panel. Client services also manages the Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) program.
Corporate services
Corporate services provides the financial, human resources, ICT and facility services to the rest of Legal Aid.
Work at Legal Aid
Find out about working at Legal Aid.
Engagement of private legal practitioners
Legal Aid may arrange for the services of a private legal practitioner to provide services. To act on our behalf, private practitioners must be a member of the Legal Aid ACT General Panel.
Read more about the Legal Aid ACT General Panel, including how to apply.
Not satisfied with Legal Aid's services
If you’re not satisfied with a Legal Aid service, you can submit a complaint to us or give us feedback.
Find out how to make a complaint to Legal Aid.
Open access information
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2016, we proactively release certain information about Legal Aid. This includes - but is not limited to - our policies, annual reports, and strategies.
Read our open access information.