Legal Advice

If you are bringing an action in the Supreme Court, registry staff can help you with procedural matters but they cannot give legal advice to litigants. There are however a number of organisations in Tasmania that provide legal advice.

Community Legal Services

• Derwent Community Legal Service
  Provides free legal advice, information, assistance, including letters, on all areas of the law. People wishing to access the service can either drop in or make an appointment by phoning (03) 6263 4755

  Hobart Community Legal Service
  Provides free legal advice on any matter. No appointment is necessary, just drop in on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between 6.00 pm and 7.30 pm.
  Other services include welfare rights advocate and child support solicitor, legal advice to prisoners and court support at the Court of Petty Sessions. Phone (03) 6223 2500 Mondays to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm for more information.
  

• Launceston Community Legal Centre
  Offers a variety of legal services including free legal advice sessions staffed by lawyers and community workers, Legal Officer, Disability Discrimination Legal Advocate, Welfare Rights and Victims of Crime. Phone (03) 6234 1577

• North West Community Legal Centre
  A free legal service operated by people interested in making the law easily understood by any one in need of legal advice or referrals.

Other organisations

Environmental Defenders Office (Tas)

Community law centre providing advice on environmental and planning law to the Tasmanian community.
Phone: (03) 6223 2770
Fax: (03) 6223 2070
Address: 131 Macquarie Street, Hobart, 7000.

Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania

The Legal Aid Commission provides legal aid to persons unable to afford the cost of legal assistance in family, criminal and civil law matters under State and Commonwealth laws. Certain guidelines apply. The Commission has offices in the South, the North and the North West. Telephone numbers for these offices:

• Southern Region: (03) 6230 0900
• Northern Region: (03) 6231 7088
• North-West Region: 1300 366611

The Commission also provides a Legal Aid Telephone Advice Line Monday - Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm:
Phone: 1300 366 611 (Toll Free)

Office of the Ombudsman

Investigates complaints against administrative actions of State Government Departments, statutory authorities and local government authorities. Investigations can be formal or informal and complaints can be made confidentially. The Ombudsman is also the review office for Freedom of Information decisions.
Phone: (03) 6233 6217 - Hobart & 1800 001 170 (outside Hobart area)

Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service

Legal aid is available free of charge to assist community members with legal problems.
Phone: Southern Region (03) 6234 3955 or (03) 6234 1405
Phone: Northern Region (03) 6331 6966
Phone: North-West Region (03) 6431 3289

Victims Assistance Unit

Provides information and support to anyone who has suffered any kind of harm in the law being broken. Can provide assistance with legal processes and compensation claims.
Phone: (03) 6233 5002 (Hobart) or 1300 663 773 (toll free)