Our Contact Centre will be closed from 5pm on 24 December 2024, reopening at 8am on 3 January 2025. National Office (Aitken Street, Wellington) reception will be closed from 5pm on Friday 20 December, reopening at 8am on Monday 6 January 2025. For more information, see Court and Tribunal hours
As of 1 January 2023, there is no longer a requirement to pay a user charge. You only need to pay a user charge if your legal aid grant was approved before 1 January 2023.
The user charge fee is $50 (including GST) or $43.48 (excluding GST) and you pay the charge directly to your lawyer.
This is the only payment that your lawyer can receive directly from you. If your lawyer tries to charge you for any other legal aid services, please report this to your local legal aid office.
Legal aid | New Zealand Ministry of Justice
What to expect from your legal aid lawyer | New Zealand Ministry of Justice
Legal aid is paid directly to your lawyer.
Your legal aid lawyer will not charge you for legal aid work completed. If your lawyer tries to charge you for any other legal aid services, tell your local legal aid office.
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