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Who we are

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is a statewide organisation that helps people with their legal problems. We focus on helping and protecting the rights of socially and economically disadvantaged Victorians.

We have lawyers in offices in most major metropolitan and country regions. We also fund private lawyers to provide legal services to the public. We can help in areas of criminal law, family law and some civil law matters.

VLA is a statutory authority established by legislation called the Legal Aid Act 1978. We are funded by Commonwealth and state governments but operate independently of government.

Our services

Our free legal services include:

  • information over the phone
  • a public law library
  • publications and workshops
  • legal advice 
  • lawyers on duty at many courts and tribunals.

In some cases we can also provide ongoing legal assistance to:

  • pay a lawyer to give you advice, help reach agreement, or speak for you in court
  • go to our family dispute resolution service.

For more information see What we do.

Our objectives

Our statutory objectives under the Legal Aid Act are to:

  • provide legal aid in the most effective, economic and efficient manner
  • manage its resources to make legal aid available at a reasonable cost to the community and on an equitable basis throughout the state
  • provide improved access to justice and legal remedies to the community
  • pursue innovative means of providing legal aid directed at minimising the need for individual legal services in the community.

Our functions

In accordance with the Legal Aid Act, VLA’s functions include:

  • providing effective and efficient legal aid services
  • administrating the community legal centre funding program for the Commonwealth and state governments
  • controlling and administering the Legal Aid Fund
  • determining priorities for the provision of legal aid in state law matters
  • liaising with professional bodies to facilitate the appropriate use of services provided by private practitioners
  • co-operating with other legal aid commissions
  • making use of volunteer services provided by the legal profession
  • enabling law students to participate appropriately in the provision of legal aid
  • informing the public about the services we provide.