Legal Aid
There are two types of legal aid - Civil/Family and Criminal - with different application forms and processes.
You may have to pay some or all of it back.
You don’t have to be a New Zealand citizen or be living here permanently.
Criminal Legal Aid
If you’ve been charged with a criminal offence but can’t afford a lawyer, your legal fees may be paid through Criminal legal aid. Legal aid covers all your lawyer’s costs.
Examples of criminal matters
| • assault | • drug offences |
| • theft / burglary | • receiving stolen goods |
| • drink driving | • arson |
| • fraud | • threatening to kill |
| • rape and other sexual offences | • murder or manslaughter |
Some criminal matters do not qualify for legal aid because they are not serious enough and do not have serious or long-lasting consequences for the defendant (for example, some driving offences).
For more information view the Legal Aid Guide. This includes information on Young People and Criminal legal aid
