Where To Get Legal Help

It is important to know your rights in relation to the police. The police have a range of powers at their disposal, as well as regulations and restrictions on what they can do. Below are some places you can get help or advice.

Community Legal Centres (CLCs)

CLCs are independent community organisations providing equitable and accessible legal services especially for disadvantaged and marginalised members of our community. They usually offer their services for free. They offer a range of legal and related services to the community, such as:

• Information and referral

• Advice on legal matters

• Legal casework and representation in targeted areas of law (which could include Centrelink, Housing, Family law matters)

• Community legal education (know your rights workshops)

• Law reform and public policy development and advocacy.

Call 1300 888 529

Redfern Legal Centre (RLC)

The RLC provides free, confidential legal advice and casework, delivers community legal education and engages in law reform. Areas they assist with include:

• Tenancy & Housing

• Health Justice Partnership

• Employment

• Money Problems & Consumer Complaints

• Financial Abuse Legal Service

• Discrimination & Human Rights

• International Students

• Police Complaints

• Government Complaints

Call (02) 9698 7277

Legal Aid

Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. Our legal services include legal advice, help at court and family dispute resolution. We can help in most areas of criminal law, family law and civil law.

Call 1300 888 529

Aboriginal Legal Services (ALS)

The ALS works towards achieving justice for Aboriginal people and the Aboriginal community across NSW and the ACT. It provides free means tested legal services to Aboriginal men, women and children. They can assist with Criminal law, Civil law, Family law and Children’s Care, and Protection law matters. The ALS also employs Field Officers, who work with Aboriginal families and communities in and outside of the court room.

Call 1800 765 767

The Shopfront Legal Youth legal Centre

The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre is a Sydney-based provides free legal assistance for homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 25 and under. We are based in inner Sydney but can also help young people outside this area. The Shopfront is operated jointly by Herbert Smith Freehills, Mission Australia and The Salvation Army. The legal services are provided by Herbert Smith Freehills on a pro bono basis and its case work service is provided by Mission Australia. 

Call (02) 9322 4808

NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL)

The NSWCCL aims to protect the rights and liberties of persons across Australia, and is one of Australia's leading human rights and civil liberties organisations. It monitors and fights against infringement of these rights and liberties and the abuse of power by government, its agencies and others. However, it also listens to individual complaints and, through volunteer efforts, attempt to help members of the public with civil liberties problems. Among other things, it conducts court cases defending infringements of civil liberties.

Call (02) 8090 2952