About duty lawyer help at court
We have lawyers at many courts and tribunals across Victoria. These are called duty lawyers.
They can help you on your court date if you haven't already got legal advice.
You can find out more about courts in Victoria by visiting Victoria's courts and tribunals.
Cost of duty lawyer services
This is a free service, however the type of help you get will depend on your issue and personal circumstances such as income. For example, not everyone is eligible for legal advice and representation in court.
For duty lawyer services for adult criminal offences or for matters at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, an income test may apply.
Availability of duty lawyer services
Not all services are available every day, so it's best to speak to us before you go to court. Call us on 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm.
Do you have a criminal charge? If your court date is in 14 days or more, you can request Help Before Court.
How our duty lawyers can help
Depending on your circumstances, our duty lawyers may be able to:
- give you information – for some matters we can provide printed information about specific offences and what happens in court
- give you legal advice – about the law and what happens in court. This may include negotiations with the prosecution
- represent you in court that day – and assist you with your case
- arrange for a legal aid lawyer to run your case – we may be able to adjourn your court hearing so that you can get a lawyer to run your case.
Eligibility for duty lawyer services
We try to help those who need it most. If you are in custody and has been brought to court for the first time in relation to a matter, you will be a priority.
Each area of law we provide services for has different eligibility criteria. It is best to speak to us or call the court ahead of time.
Eligibility criteria we may consider may include those who:
- have a cognitive disability, an acquired brain injury or mental illness
- are in a psychiatric in-patient unit with a Mental Health Tribunal hearing
- are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- are experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- can’t speak, read or write well in English
- are a child or young person going to the Children’s Court for intervention orders
- are a child 10 years or older, or a parent, in child protection proceedings (usually once only)
- are experiencing or are at risk of family violence
Legal issues we can help with
Legal issues we help with:
- criminal charges – including offences such as theft, dangerous driving and stalking. We also assist those are in custody or facing a serious penalty
- tenancy matters – where you may lose your housing
- equal opportunity – discrimination, sexual harassment or vilification
- compulsory mental health treatment*
- guardianship and administration matters
- family law – parenting, property and assets, divorce, spousal maintenance
- intervention orders – family violence or personal safety
- Children's Court matters – child protection, intervention orders, police charges.
*These services are not a walk-in service. If you need help, call the Mental Health Legal Rights Service on 1800 849 806 from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.
Specific duty lawyer services
Family Advocacy and Support Services – family law matters
As part of our Family Advocacy and Support Services (FASS), we have duty lawyers at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) courts.
Visit or call us at these locations:
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – at Melbourne and Dandenong (Family Law Registry)
Visit in person or contact FASS ahead of your court date on (03) 8610 9803 and ask to speak to the FASS information referral officer.
Magistrate courts (when the FCFCOA is sitting on circuit)
These include: Geelong, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Mildura and Sale. Sometimes these lawyers will only be available by phone (depending on the court listings). It's best to call the court ahead of time.
Visit the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website for the contact details of these offices.
This service is not means tested (does not consider your income and/or assets) and is available in family law matters where you have experienced, used or are alleged to have used family violence.
Remote duty lawyer services and referral services
Some of our duty lawyers aren’t available in-person at court. You can reach them by calling our Legal Help phone line on 1300 792 387. We will then arrange for one of our staff to speak with you.
These duty lawyer service issues and their court locations are:
- eviction and tenancy matters – Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- migration matters – Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
- discrimination issues – Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- guardianship and administration order matters – Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Mental Health Legal Rights Service – compulsory mental health treatment matters
We can help you if you are experiencing, or may experience, compulsory mental health treatment. This includes if you have a hearing at the Mental Health Tribunal regarding a community or inpatient treatment order.
We also provide virtual (online) duty lawyer services to community patients.
Please call the Mental Health Legal Rights Service on 1800 849 806 from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.
Watch our videos on getting free legal help at court
How to see a duty lawyer
Before you go to court, call the court, or speak to us, first to check if the duty lawyer service is available at the court your are visiting that day. You can also find out helpful information through our I need legal information about section of our website.
Next, if you decide to see a duty lawyer on the day:
- Turn up at the court or tribunal when it opens. It may be busy and you may have to wait.
- When you get to court, ask the court staff if there is a lawyer on duty.
- If there is, the court staff can tell you what you need to do.
If you need an interpreter, the court will organise one for you. It is best to let the court know you need an interpreter before your hearing. If you haven’t done this, tell the court staff as soon as you get to court.
Services that need you to phone ahead
If you are seeking assistance for a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing, you should call our Legal Help phone line 1300 792 387 between 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. Ask if you can be referred to our VCAT duty lawyer service.
If you are seeking assistance for a Mental Health Tribunal hearing, you should call the Mental Health Legal Rights Service helpline 1800 849 806 from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. These duty lawyers attend hearings remotely.
Duty lawyer services at courts
We provide a range of duty lawyer services at different courts. Some may be walk-in services while others are only available on specific days or by referral.
Refer to information about Specific duty lawyer services or speak to us to confirm.
Children’s Court
At the Children’s Court, we can help you with:
- criminal law matters
- child protection applications
- family violence and personal safety intervention orders.
Magistrates’ Court
At the Magistrates’ Court, we can help you with:
- adult criminal law matters
- serious traffic matters
- family violence matters and intervention orders
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
We can help you with:
- family law matters (Family Advocacy Support Service)*
- child support.
*Also available at the Family Law Registry at Melbourne and Dandenong magistrates' courts.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
We can help you with:
- guardianship and administration matters
- residential tenancy eviction matters (tenants only)
- discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification and victimisation claims (duty lawyer service only available for applicants at their first directions hearing)
- Mental Health Tribunal review matters.
If you have a VCAT matter we strongly recommend you contact us via our Legal Help phoneline. We can then arrange a duty lawyer for you, if you are eligible.
Duty lawyer locations
Map of our duty lawyer service locations
| Map icon for our Duty Lawyer Service locations |
List of duty lawyer locations
- Eastern metropolitan region
- Northern and Western metropolitan region
- Southern metropolitan region
- Barwon–South Western region
- Gippsland region
- Grampians region
- Hume region
- Loddon-Mallee region
Eastern metropolitan region
Ringwood children's and magistrates' courts
39 Ringwood Street
RINGWOOD VIC 3134
Get directions to Ringwood children's and magistrates' courts
Northern and Western metropolitan region
Broadmeadows children's and magistrates' courts
Corner Pearcedale Parade and Dimboola Road
BROADMEADOWS VIC 3047
Get directions to Broadmeadows children's and magistrates' courts
Neighbourhood Justice Centre
Level 2, 241 Wellington Street
COLLINGWOOD VIC 3066
Get directions to Collingwood Neighbourhood Justice Centre
Heidelberg children's and magistrates' courts
Jika Street
HEIDELBERG VIC 3084
Get directions to Heidelberg children's and magistrates' courts
Melbourne Children's Court
477 Little Lonsdale Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Get directions to Melbourne Children's Court
Melbourne Magistrates' Court
233 William Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Get directions to Melbourne Magistrates' Court
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
You will need to contact Legal Help to arrange for a duty lawyer to present if you have a hearing at VCAT.
VCAT Head Office is located at:
308 Latrobe Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – Melbourne
Read the information about Family Advocacy and Support Services that operate regionally as a circuit court.
Owen Dixon Commonwealth Law Courts Building
305 William Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Get directions to Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – Melbourne
Sunshine children's and magistrates' courts
10 Foundry Road
SUNSHINE VIC 3020
Get directions to Sunshine children's and magistrates' courts
Wyndham law courts
Includes Wyndham Magistrates’ Court, Children’s Court and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
17 Basalt Road
WERRIBEE VIC 3030
Get directions to Wyndham Law Courts
Southern metropolitan region
Dandenong Children’s Court
153 Foster Street
DANDENONG VIC 3047
Get directions to Dandenong Children's Court
Dandenong Magistrates' Court
Foster St and Pultney St
DANDENONG, VIC 3175
Get directions to Dandenong Magistrates' Court
Dromana Magistrates' Court
Codrington Street
DROMANA VIC 3936
Get directions to Dromana Magistrates' Court
Frankston Magistrates' Court
15 Fletcher Road
FRANKSTON VIC 3199
Get directions to Frankston Magistrates' courts
Moorabbin Court Complex
Including the children's and magistrates' courts.
1140 Nepean Highway
HIGHETT VIC 3190
Get directions to Moorabbin Court Complex
Barwon-South Western region
Colac children's and magistrates' courts
40 Queen Street
COLAC VIC 3250
Get directions to Colac children's and magistrates' courts
Geelong children's, county and magistrates' courts
Geelong Law courts
Railway Terrace
GEELONG VIC 3220
Directions to Geelong children's, county and magistrates' courts
Hamilton children's and magistrates' courts
34 Martin Street
HAMILTON VIC 3300
Directions to Hamilton children's and magistrates' courts
Portland children's and magistrates' courts
67 Cliff Street
PORTLAND VIC 3305
Directions to Portland Children's and Magistrates' courts
Warrnambool children's, county and magistrates' courts
Warrnambool Law Courts
218 Koroit Street
WARRNAMBOOL VIC 3280
Directions to Warrnambool children's, county and magistrates' courts
Gippsland region
Bairnsdale children's, county and magistrates' courts
14 Nicholson Street
BAIRNSDALE VIC 3875
Get directions to Bairnsdale children's, county and magistrates' courts
Korumburra children's and magistrates' courts
22 Bridge Street
KORUMBURRA VIC 3950
Get directions to Korumburra children's and magistrates' courts
Latrobe Valley (Morwell) children's, county, and magistrates' courts
Latrobe Valley Law Courts
134 Commercial Road
MORWELL VIC 3840
Get directions to Latrobe Valley (Morwell) children's, county and magistrates' courts
Sale children's, county, and magistrates' courts
79–87 Foster Street
SALE VIC 3850
Get directions to Sale children's, county and magistrates' courts
Wonthaggi children's and magistrates' courts
Watt Street
WONTHAGGI VIC 3995
Get directions to Wonthaggi children's and magistrates' courts
Grampians region
Ararat children's and magistrates' courts
63–75 Barkly Street
ARARAT VIC 3377
Get directions to Ararat children's and magistrates' courts
Bacchus Marsh children's and magistrates' courts
121 Main Street
BACCHUS MARSH VIC 3340
Get directions to Bacchus Marsh children's and magistrates' courts
Edenhope Magistrates' Court
49 Elizabeth Street
EDENHOPE VIC 3318
Get directions to Edenhope Magistrates' Court
Hopetoun Magistrates' Court
75 Lascelles Street
HOPETOUN VIC 3396
Get directions to Hopetoun Magistrates' Court
Ballarat children's and magistrates' courts
100 Grenville Street
SOUTH BALLARAT VIC 3350
Get directions to Ballarat children's and magistrates' courts
Horsham children's and magistrates' courts
22 Roberts Avenue
HORSHAM VIC 3400
Directions to Horsham children's and magistrates' courts
Nhill Magistrates' Court
110 MacPherson Street
NHILL VIC 3418
Get directions to Nhill Magistrates' Court
Stawell children's and magistrates' courts
11 Patrick Street
STAWELL VIC 3380
Get directions to Stawell children's and magistrates' courts
St Arnaud Magistrates' Court
Napier Street
ST ARNAUD VIC 3478
Get directions to St Arnaud Magistrates' Court
Maryborough Magistrates' Court
Clarendon Street
MARYBOROUGH VIC 3467
Get directions to Maryborough Magistrates' Court
Hume region
Benalla children's and magistrates' courts
17 Bridge Street West
BENALLA VIC 3672
Get directions to Benalla children's and magistrates' courts
Cobram children's and magistrates' courts
Corner Punt Road and High Street
COBRAM VIC 3644
Get directions to Cobram children's and magistrates' courts
Corryong Magistrates' Court
11 Jardine Street
CORRYONG VIC 3707
Get directions to Corryong Magistrates' Court
Mansfield Magistrates' Court
88 High Street
MANSFIELD VIC 3722
Get directions to Mansfield Magistrates' Court
Shepparton children's, county and magistrates' courts
Shepparton Law Courts
14 High Street
SHEPPARTON VIC 3630
Get directions to Shepparton children's, county and magistrates' courts
Wangaratta children's, county and magistrates' courts
Wangaratta Law Courts
Faithfull Street
WANGARATTA VIC 3677
Get directions to Wangaratta children's, county, and magistrates' courts
Wodonga children's, county and magistrates' courts
Wodonga Law Courts
5 Elgin Boulevard
WODONGA VIC 3690
Get directions to Wodonga children's, county and magistrates' courts
Myrtleford Magistrates' Court
34 Clyde Street
MYRTLEFORD VIC 3737
Get directions to Myrtleford Magistrates' Court
Seymour children's and magistrates' courts
60 Tallarook Street
SEYMOUR VIC 3660
Get directions to Seymour children's and magistrates' courts
Loddon Mallee region
Bendigo children's and magistrates' courts
Bendigo law courts
188 Hargreaves Street
BENDIGO VIC 3550
Get directions to Bendigo children's and magistrates' courts
Castlemaine Magistrates' Court
29 Lyttleton Street
CASTLEMAINE VIC 3450
Get directions to Castlemaine Magistrates' Court
Echuca children's and magistrates' courts
4 Heygarth Street
ECHUCA VIC 3564
Get directions to Echuca children's and magistrates' courts
Kerang children's and magistrates' courts
Victoria Street
KERANG VIC 3579
Get directions to Kerang Children's and Magistrates' courts
Kyneton Magistrates' Court
1A Hutton Street
KYNETON VIC 3444
Get directions to Kyneton Magistrates' courts
Mildura Magistrates' Court
56 Deakin Avenue
MILDURA VIC 3500
Get directions to Mildura Magistrates' Court
Swan Hill children's and magistrates' courts
121 Curlewis Street
SWAN HILL VIC 3585
Get directions to Swan Hill children's and magistrates' courts
How to prepare before court
To help you understand your legal options it is best to speak to us before going to court. More information about preparing for court can also be found by visiting:
Keep the day free and arrive early
- The court opens at 9 am. Even if your case is listed at 9.30 am, you may have to wait a few hours.
- Arrange childcare or for someone to collect your children after school
- Bring a book or something to pass the time while you wait.
Plan how you will get to court
- Most courts are near public transport, and parking near courts can be expensive so it might better to use public transport or get someone to drop you off.
- If you are driving, it can be hard to find parking so give yourself plenty of time. Do not drive if your licence might be suspended or cancelled.
- You should not drive to court if you are facing charges where you might lose your licence. If you are found guilty, your licence may be cancelled immediately. For more information, visit Possible outcomes for traffic offences.
- Find out more about the court you are attending. Go to the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria website and the visit the Find a court page.
Ask for someone to come with you
- You can ask a friend, family member or worker if they can go with you to court
Prepare your documents
- It can help to have your documents at court. For example, your brief of evidence, your charge and summons, and police brief.
- Also refer to our other suggestions If you are attending court for a crime or intervention order related matter.
- Remember to bring two copies of all documents.
- You can also ask someone you know like a family member, your boss or a medical professional to write a character reference for court.
Be prepared for security checks
- You will have to go through security before you enter the courtroom. This means your belongings (bags, wallet, keys, mobile) will go through an X-Ray and you will walk through a metal scanner.
- Alcohol, sharp or dangerous objects are not allowed in court
Attending court for a crime or intervention order related matter
If you are attending court for a crime-related matter it can be helpful to bring supporting documents to court including:
- character references from your employer, family or people who know you well
- reports from doctors or counsellors you have seen
- certificates or awards for work, courses or other things you have completed
- a receipt if you had to pay for any damages you caused
- details of your financial situation.
Bring at least two copies of any documents if you can.
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