Legal aid provider resources
There are a range of resources available to support legal aid lawyers.
Legal aid factsheets
These factsheets provide basic information on variety of topics.
Bail conditions [PDF, 100 KB] File keeping [PDF, 125 KB] Interviewing clients [PDF, 139 KB] What to expect from a legal aid audit [PDF, 197 KB] Providing legal aid to clients subject to Mental Health assessment or treatment [PDF, 240 KB] Working with victims and perpetrators of sexual violence and family violence [PDF, 117 KB] Waitangi Legal Aid factsheet for claimants [PDF, 351 KB] Invoicing Quick Reference Guide [PDF, 130 KB] Employment costs [PDF, 106 KB] Financial obligations [PDF, 123 KB] Hourly rates [PDF, 108 KB] Legal aid disbursements [PDF, 117 KB] Legislative obligations [PDF, 115 KB] Mental Health guideline hours [PDF, 100 KB]
Criminal fixed fee finder
The fixed fee learning tool simplifies and provides clarity on the Criminal Fixed Fee Schedule.
The fixed fee finder is available here
Legal aid templates
These templates can be used to assist with file and/or record keeping.
Criminal template – hearing attendance record [PDF, 19 KB] Criminal template – Pre-CMM file analysis [PDF, 72 KB] Criminal template – client acknowledgement [PDF, 85 KB] Criminal template – court appearance summary [PDF, 34 KB] Template – general time record [PDF, 36 KB] Template – communication form [PDF, 16 KB] Family template – hearing attendance record [PDF, 51 KB] Family template – court appearance summary [PDF, 77 KB] Family template – conference attendance record [PDF, 57 KB]
Grants handbook
Details on legal aid applications and eligibility, debt management, granting decisions, reconsideration and reviews, fixed fee information packs and disbursement policies.
Grants handbook
Legal aid lawyer Provider Manual
Information about legal aid for service providers.
Legal aid lawyer Provider Manual [PDF, 380 KB]
Waitangi Tribunal policy
Provides guidance on Waitangi Tribunal grants.
Waitangi Tribunal policy
Duty lawyer
Has the operational policy for the duty lawyer service.
Duty lawyer
Police Detention Legal Assistance
Has the operational policy for the Police Detention Legal Assistance (PDLA) service.
PDLA
Family Legal Advice Service
Has the operational policy for the Family Legal Advice Service (FLAS).
Family Legal Advice Service [PDF, 586 KB]
New Zealand Law Society wellbeing resources
Links to the New Zealand Law Society Practising Well page with information and advice on how to progress your career, a professional sounding board, or counselling to assist you through a stressful situation.
NZLS | Practising Well (lawsociety.org.nz)(external link)
Legal Aid Invoicing
This video and the below resources are to support you when invoicing Legal Aid.
VIDEO
This page was last updated: 10th October 2025