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Help at court

Duty lawyers can help you at court

We have lawyers at all local courts and at many other courts and tribunals across NSW. These ‘duty lawyers’ help people who have a matter at court that day who do not have their own lawyer. Duty lawyers either work for Legal Aid NSW or are private lawyers paid by Legal Aid NSW to help you.

It is best to get legal advice before you go to court. Talk to our team at LawAccess NSW by clicking 'Chat with us' on the right or call them on 1300 888 529. 

Do you have a Criminal Matter at:

  • Bankstown Local Court
  • Blacktown Local Court
  • Mt Druitt Local Court
  • Penrith Local Court
  • Sutherland Local Court

There is an easy way to request legal help from us – simply fill in our online form. The form is quick, easy to use and can be submitted at any time. Once submitted, a Legal Aid NSW staff member will call you back.

If you don’t know your H number, enter H0000 when prompted. The form can only be used for the courts listed above.

If you are under 18, call the Youth Hotline on 1800 10 18 10. The Hotline operates 9am to midnight weekdays, with a 24-hour service from Friday 9am to Sunday midnight and also on public holidays.

Other types of help are also available at court. Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services assist women and children experiencing domestic violence at many local courts around NSW. Youth workers from the Children's Court Assistance Scheme assist young people appearing in the Children's Court. Support workers for both women and men from the Family Advocacy and Support Services are available to help families impacted by domestic violence in the family law courts.  

Anyone can approach a duty lawyer for assistance at court. However, the duty lawyer can only give you limited help on the day of your matter. If your matter is more complicated, the duty lawyer may be able to help you ask for an adjournment (put off your matter to a later date) so that you have a chance to get legal advice or representation.

A duty lawyer may be able to: 

  • give you advice about your matter
  • explain what might happen in court about your matter
  • help you to ask for an adjournment (to put off your matter to a later date, so you have time to get legal advice)
  • talk to the court/tribunal or other parties on your behalf
  • help you with your court documents or urgent court applications
  • speak for you in court.

There are limits on what the duty lawyer can do for you. For example, in a criminal matter they cannot represent you in court if you have pleaded ‘not guilty’ and your matter is listed for hearing that day.

In family law matters, duty lawyers may also be able to help you with urgent family law problems – like if your ex hasn’t returned your child or is threatening to take them overseas. 

If you need help or seek to be represented in a hearing matter, you should speak to a lawyer from Legal Aid NSW or a lawyer who does legal aid work, well before your hearing date (see Legal advice).

No. Seeing a duty lawyer is free. However, most people who receive a grant of aid will have to pay a contribution towards the cost of the matter. The amount you have to pay depends on how much you earn and how much you own.

In criminal law matters you don't need to be eligible for legal aid if the duty lawyer is only providing you with advice or if it is your first appearance and you are in custody. However, if the duty lawyer is representing you in court you will generally need to be eligible for legal aid.

In family law matters you do not need to be eligible for legal aid to get help from a duty lawyer or the social support services at court.  

We have duty lawyers at all local courts in NSW, all family law courts locations when the court is sitting there and in many other courts and tribunals across NSW.

Yes. Legal words are sometimes hard to understand. If English is not your first language, you may want to have an interpreter to help you at court. Auslan interpreters are also available. In many cases the court pays for the interpreter. Contact the court that you are attending to arrange an interpreter, you should do this as soon as possible. If the court decides that an interpreter or Auslan interpreter is required, it might be necessary to adjourn the matter to a later date.

If you need and interpreter or other communication help to contact us, please see the options on our contact us page.

Before coming to court you should:

  • collect and bring all paperwork you have about your matter e.g. in criminal law matters - police factsheets and character references; in family law matters - copies of any orders and other court documents; in civil matters - copies of any letters or penalty notices relevant to your legal matter
  • turn up to the court/tribunal an hour before your matter – you may need to wait a bit to see the duty lawyer
  • make sure you have the whole day free. Some courts list all matters at the same time so you may have to wait a few hours before the court hears your matter. You should check this with the court. 
  • let the court know if you need an interpreter or other assistance
  • bring a friend or family member for support if you want to

If you have concerns about your safety at court you should contact the court before your court date to discuss your concerns, talk to security when you enter the court building or contact us before going to court. 

The duty lawyer may not be able to finish your case on the day that you appear in court. If your matter is more complicated, the duty lawyer may be able to help you ask for an adjournment (put off your matter to a later date) so that you have a chance to get legal advice or representation.

If you need more legal help, duty lawyers from Legal Aid NSW may be able to assist or assist you to apply for legal aid for a lawyer to run your case.

We may also be able to refer you to other services that can help.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can get help from Legal Aid NSW duty lawyers or Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) lawyers.

If you’re under 18 and need help at court, call the Youth Hotline on 1800 10 18 10.

The hotline operates 9am to midnight weekdays, with a 24-hour service from Friday 9am to Sunday midnight and also on public holidays.

Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services assist women and children experiencing domestic violence at many local courts around NSW.

Support workers for both women and men from the Family Advocacy and Support Services are available to help families impacted by domestic violence in the family law courts.

Youth workers from the Children's Court Assistance Scheme assist young people appearing in the Children's Court.