Legal Aid
Legal Aid
Legal aid is a government service that provides legal services for people who cannot afford them. It is an essential part of our justice system, supporting access to justice. Legal aid is currently managed by the Legal Services Agency.
Following a review of the legal aid system which found issues with variable service quality and the mechanisms to manage the quality and efficiency of services, the Government announced a package of reforms in April 2010.
The aim of the reforms is to ensure that New Zealand has a fair and efficient legal aid system that delivers quality services. Work on implementing the reforms is being led by both the Legal Services Agency and the Ministry of Justice. Go to a summary of the legal aid system changes to find out more.
Hot topics
- Legislation to reform the legal aid system was introduced into Parliament on 4 August 2010 and received its first reading on 25 August. The Justice and Electoral Committee has considered the Bill and reported back to Parliament. The Bill is now awaiting its second reading.
- Consultation on aspects of the new quality assurance framework for legal aid providers closed on 20 October 2010. Click here to read the consultation paper.
- Consultation on preferred lawyer and criminal legal aid assignment changes has now closed. You can see the consultation paper and a summary of the feedback on the Legal Services Agency website here.
- The Legal Services Agency head office has moved to the same premises as the Ministry of Justice. The Legal Services Agency remains a separate Crown entity, accountable to its Board, until it is disestablished under the new legislation, which is expected to take effect mid-2011.
