| Agency |
Information |
Advice |
Assistance with forms |
FDR
(Family Dispute Resolution) |
Drafting Affidavits |
Representation |
| Local Courts (Chamber Registrars) |
 |
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| LawAccess |
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callers may be referred to an in-house lawyer if they are priority customers, or in other cases if there is capacity |
only limited telephone assistance — which form to use, terminology, verbal advice about how to word applications for orders |
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| Legal Aid NSW |
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no means test |
can give general assistance with forms as part of minor assistance |
can grant aid for FDR subject to eligibility, i.e. means, merit and availability of funds tests |
as part of grant of aid for representation |
subject to eligibility, i.e. means, merit and availability of funds tests.
Family law duty solicitor schemes operate at all registries of the Family Court to assist unrepresented litigants — they are not subject to eligibility tests |
| CLCs |
|
most CLCs can provide one-off advice. Womens Legal Services offer statewide phone advice in family law for women |
some CLCs provide assistance with forms — check with LawAccess (or refer to attached list) |
|
only a limited number of CLCs — check with LawAccess (or refer to attached list) |
very limited family law representation only available at a limited number of CLCs — check with LawAccess (or refer to attached list) |
ALS
(Family law practice closed from 1 July 08) |
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PILCH
(still considering) |
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| Law Society Pro Bono |
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need to meet eligibility requirements |
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need to meet eligibility requirements |
not property, and need to meet eligibility requirements eg have been refused legal aid, has reasonable prospects, means |
| Bar Legal Assistance Referral Scheme |
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need to meet guidelines |
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need to meet guidelines ie have been refused legal aid and means test |
| Family Court |
through website, telephone, email, and at Registries |
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limited to telephone and email assistance |
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Legal Aid family law duty solicitor schemes operate at all registries of the Family Court to assist unrepresented litigants — they are not subject to eligibility tests. |
