Legal aid lawyers in Christchurch

218 lawyers at 149 firms in Christchurch can take legal aid cases. Their phone numbers are below. Legal aid helps pay for a lawyer if you can't afford one.

Not sure where to start? Read what to do first below, or call the Ministry of Justice legal aid line on 0800 253 425 (free, weekdays 8am to 5pm).

Get help nowSee the lawyers
Free to use
Every lawyer on the Ministry of Justice list
Checked 12 October 2026

What to do first

If you've been charged

  1. Apply for legal aid as soon as you're charged. Don't wait for your first day in court.
  2. On your first day in court, ask for the duty lawyer. It's free, and they can help you apply for legal aid.
  3. For most charges, the Ministry chooses your legal aid lawyer. For very serious charges (more than 10 years in prison), you can choose your own.
Read the full guide →

If it's a family matter

  1. Find a family legal aid lawyer first. Call a few from the list until one can take your case.
  2. Your lawyer helps you apply for legal aid. Bring details of your income, savings, debts and anything you own.
  3. Bring any letters or court papers about your case, and your partner's income details if you have a partner.
Read the full guide →

If it's a civil matter

  1. Civil legal aid can cover things like ACC, problems at work, money and housing disputes.
  2. Find a civil legal aid lawyer first. Fewer lawyers do this work, so start calling early.
  3. Your lawyer helps you apply for legal aid.
Read the full guide →

Legal aid in Christchurch at a glance

  • 108 lawyers can take criminal legal aid cases, including the most serious charges (level 4 of 4).
  • 76 lawyers work as duty lawyers, the free help at court on your first day.
  • 47 lawyers give free advice to people held by the police.
  • 136 lawyers can take family legal aid cases, and 89 give family legal advice.
  • 38 lawyers can take civil legal aid cases, such as ACC or employment.
  • Some also take mental health (22), refugee and immigration (5) cases.
  • Languages other than English: German (1).

Free help near Christchurch

Free legal advice

Community Law Canterbury & West Coast

Christchurch office · In Christchurch

(03) 366 6870

Free legal help from lawyers, for people who can't afford one. Contact details and clinics

Free advice and forms

CAB Christchurch North

4 Jeffreys Road, Fendalton, Christchurch

4 km from Christchurch

03 3517804

Walk in, call or email. They can help you understand forms and find the right service.

Duty lawyer

Christchurch District Court

20 Lichfield Street, Christchurch

In Christchurch

0800 268 787

On your first day in court, ask at reception for the duty lawyer. It's free if you don't have a lawyer.

Nearest by distance from the centre of Christchurch. Checked 5 October 2026. Offices sometimes move, so call before you go.

Legal aid lawyers in Christchurch, A to Z

Every lawyer the Ministry of Justice lists in Christchurch, grouped by firm. Call to check they can take your case.

  • A J Bailey - Barrister

    (022) 0450959

    2 legal aid lawyers

    Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyCivilMental health
    • Andrew John Bailey · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Family, Civil, Mental health · (03) 3658695
    • Rahul Joseph Thachankary George · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Police station advice, Mental health

  • A N Garrett - Barrister

    (03) 3480471

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyer

    Tony Neil Davis Garrett

  • Alexandra Beaumont - Barrister

    (027) 2543476

    1 legal aid lawyer

    FamilyFamily legal advice

    Alexandra Rosabella Beaumont

  • Alister James

    (03) 3743367

    1 legal aid lawyer

    CriminalFamilyCivilRefugee & immigration

    Alister George James QSO

  • Amy Lake - Barrister

    (03) 661 7000

    2 legal aid lawyers

    FamilyFamily legal advice
    • Amy Melissa Lake · Family, Family legal advice
    • Jordan Michael Neville · Family, Family legal advice · (03) 6617000

  • Andrew Mccormick Barrister

    (021) 0363965

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamily

    Andrew Maxwell McCormick

  • Andrew Mckenzie - Barrister

    (03) 3777980

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyCivil

    Graham Andrew McKenzie

  • Angela Corry - Barrister

    (03) 9431939

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Family

    Angela Mary Corry

  • Anna Kissick Barrister

    (027) 4643315

    1 legal aid lawyer

    FamilyFamily legal advice

    Anna Louise Kissick

  • Anna Lloyd Barrister

    (027) 4693707

    1 legal aid lawyer

    FamilyFamily legal advice

    Anna Elizabeth Lloyd

  • Anne Gordon Barrister

    (03) 661 7000

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyer

    Anne Carolyn Gordon

  • Anya Gartner - Barrister

    (027) 6027346

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceRefugee & immigration

    Anya Taraipine Louise Gartner

  • April Kelland - Barrister

    (021) 2308166

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyMental health

    April Claire Kelland

  • Arcwell Legal Ltd

    (03) 2421442

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Family

    Ulia Sergeevna Ash

  • Bean Law

    (021) 952432

    2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →

    Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal advice
    • Amanda Bean · Criminal · up to level 2 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Family, Family legal advice
    • Charles Denby Bean · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice · (021) 888370

  • Ben Shamy Barrister

    (021) 746156

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 2 of 4

    Ben Philip Anthony Shamy

  • C M Ruane - Barrister

    (03) 4207778

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyCivil

    Craig Martin Ruane

  • Cameron & Company

    (03) 379 3110

    1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →

    FamilyFamily legal advice

    Kelly Elizabeth Hawkins

  • Chris Nolan - Barrister

    (022) 1667276

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivil

    Christopher Gavin Nolan

  • Christina Riddell - Barrister

    (027) 595 3197

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal advice

    Christina Margaret Riddell

  • Christopher Gullidge, Barrister

    (027) 283 1662

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyer

    Christopher Cecil Gullidge

  • Christopher J Lange

    (03) 3775575

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerCivil

    Christopher John Lange

  • Christopher Morrall

    (03) 3791433

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 1 of 4

    Christopher Bennett Morrall

  • Clare Yardley - Barrister

    (03) 3381927

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advice

    Clare Marie Yardley

  • Clark Boyce

    (03) 3784429

    2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →

    Family
    • Florence Abigail Claridge · Family · (03) 379 4420
    • Rachel Elizabeth Walsh · Family

  • Community Law Canterbury

    (03) 3666870

    2 legal aid lawyers

    FamilyFamily legal advice
    • Craig Leslie Clarke · Family
    • Olivia Louise Taylor · Family legal advice

  • Corcoran French

    (03) 755404

    2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →

    FamilyFamily legal advice
    • Reyma Rica Cacho Hilaga · Family, Family legal advice
    • Tom Michael Hooker · Family · (03) 371 1029

  • Corcoran French -Christchurch

    (03) 901 0431

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Family

    Ashleigh Jayde Lowrey

  • Cuningham Taylor

    (03) 3792605

    7 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →

    FamilyFamily legal advice
    • Alice Claire Marshall Matheson · Family, Family legal advice
    • Darragh Conor McGregor · Family, Family legal advice · (03) 2662017
    • Georgie Jane McIntosh · Family, Family legal advice · (03) 379 2605
    • Jess Ann Babe · Family, Family legal advice
    • Matt James Bryant · Family, Family legal advice
    • Niall Robert Fanning · Family, Family legal advice · (03) 2662036
    • Rebecca Jayne Court · Family, Family legal advice

  • D J H Stringer

    (03) 3428250

    1 legal aid lawyer

    Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceMental health

    David John Hillier Stringer

Verified with the Ministry of Justice legal aid list on 12 October 2026. Lawyer details are from the Ministry of Justice, used under CC BY 4.0. We group them by firm and town and add links to firm pages. The Ministry of Justice decides who gets legal aid; Find A Lawyer is not part of the Ministry. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

By type of case in Christchurch

Criminal legal aid lawyers in Christchurch108 lawyers→Family legal aid lawyers in Christchurch136 lawyers→Civil legal aid lawyers in Christchurch38 lawyers→

Legal aid lawyers in nearby towns

Legal aid lawyers in Rolleston1 lawyer · 22 km→Legal aid lawyers in Rangiora4 lawyers · 26 km→

All legal aid lawyers in Canterbury →

Not sure who'll take your case?

Tell us your situation and we'll match you with a legal aid lawyer, free. Say in a few words what's happening, and that you need legal aid.

The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. A lawyer-client relationship could be formed by viewing or interacting with this site.
Listings are not endorsements. We do not evaluate or guarantee the qualifications, expertise, or services of any lawyer or law firm listed on this platform.
While we strive to keep listings up to date, we do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by third-party firms.
Review ratings shown on this site are sourced from third-party platforms and do not reflect the views of Find A Lawyer
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA