Legal Aid Queensland is an independent statutory body funded by both the Federal and State Governments. It provides legal assistance to economically and socially disadvantaged Queenslanders. A Legal Aid Office is located in Rockhampton, but there are private firms of Solicitors in Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Gladstone, Biloela and Emerald, who are also funded to provide Legal Aid services.
Casework
Grants of legal aid can be made for criminal law, family law (including Dispute Resolution Conferences), domestic violence, child protection and mental health tribunal matters. Grants of aid for Court representation or mediation conferences are subject to means test funding guidelines and, in most cases, a legal merits test.
Duty Lawyer Services
Legal Aid provides or funds Duty Lawyer services in the Magistrates Court, Children’s Court and also the Federal Circuit Court. These are free services and are not the subject of a means or merit test. Duty lawyer services are provided with respect to criminal law (excluding traffic matters), family law, child protection and domestic violence (on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays only).
Legal Advice
A free legal advice service is available through Legal Aid Queensland. Face to face legal advice clinics are conducted in Rockhampton Office:
Crime:
9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Wednesday
9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Friday
2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Friday
Family Law:
9.00 a.m. to12.00 p.m. Thursday
2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Thursday
Domestic violence
9.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Friday
2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Friday
Clients will need to contact the office to book an appointment in this clinic. Appointments are 30 minutes in duration and clients need to make their own child care arrangements as children cannot sit in on appointments.
Telephone Advice
Free telephone advice can be booked through the Legal Aid Queensland hotline 1300 65 11 88. Sessions are conducted each morning and each afternoon Monday to Friday. Clients need to be booked in by contacting the 1300 65 11 88 number.
From time to time Lawyers in Rockhampton Office may provide telephone advice to persons outside of Rockhampton. Legal Aid Queensland also provides a weekly advice session to inmates at the Capricornia Correctional Centre. This service is conducted by way of video conferencing.
Legal Information
Legal information, including Factsheets and Information Booklets can be obtained either from the local office or by contacting the Legal Aid Queensland Call Centre on 1300 65 11 88.
Domestic Violence Support Worker
Legal Aid Queensland have an in-house social worker who is available to support clients affected by domestic violence.
