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Legal Aid Queensland

Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) helps financially and socially disadvantaged people living in Queensland. LAQ provides legal information, advice and representation, through its own legal practice and through almost 400 private law firms across Queensland.

If you have a personal legal problem and cannot afford to pay for legal advice or representation, LAQ may be able to help. LAQ cannot help people with legal problems relating to their business.

Legal information

LAQ provides free legal information to anyone in Queensland at its offices or by telephone.

LAQ’s client information officers will:

  • listen to your problem and explain the legal issues involved
  • give you legal information
  • explain our services and how to get them
  • refer you to the most appropriate source of help, whether it is Legal Aid Queensland or another agency.

The LAQ website (link below) also contains legal information and copies of publications that may be of help.

Legal advice

You can discuss your legal problem over the phone or face-to-face with a solicitor at one of LAQ’s offices. This is a free ‘one-off’ legal advice session about your particular legal problem.

Legal representation

LAQ may be able to give you a lawyer to represent you at a Legal Aid Conference to sort out your dispute or in court. This service is ‘means and merit tested’, meaning that your income and assets to determine if you are financially eligible for legal aid. LAQ will also review your case to determine whether it meets the guidelines for legal aid.

To apply for legal aid you need to complete an application form. Forms are available from LAQ offices throughout Queensland. You can also apply for legal aid through a private law firm that does legal aid work.

Interpreters

LAQ can arrange an interpreter free of charge for you to get legal information or legal advice. If you receive a grant of legal aid, the costs of the interpreter are paid as part of your grant.

To have this information explained in your language, please phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 to speak to an interpreter. Ask to be connected to Legal Aid Queensland.

What if LAQ cannot help me with my case?

If LAQ cannot help you with your case you may be able to get some help from a community legal centre (CLC). LAQ’s information service can give you the details of the CLCs in your area.

The Queensland Law Society (QLS) can refer you to private lawyers in your area, including accredited family law specialists. You can call their referral line on 3842 5842 or search the QLS website (link below).

Contact

Legal Aid Queensland: 1300 651 188 or TTY: (07) 3238 3023.

LAQ has 14 offices across Queensland. See the website for details.

More information

Seeing a lawyer – Queensland

Services that can help – Queensland

Related publications

How to run your family law case

Related websites

Legal Aid Queensland (new window)

Queensland Law Society (new window)