Criminal legal aid lawyers in Christchurch
108 lawyers at 90 firms in Christchurch can take criminal 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).
What to do first
If you've been charged
- Apply for legal aid as soon as you're charged. Don't wait for your first day in court.
- On your first day in court, ask for the duty lawyer. It's free, and they can help you apply for legal aid.
- 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.
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.
- Languages other than English: German (1).
Free help near Christchurch
Free legal advice
Community Law Canterbury & West Coast
Christchurch office · In Christchurch
(03) 366 6870Free 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 3517804Walk 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 787On 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.
Criminal 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) 04509592 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) 34804711 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerTony Neil Davis Garrett
Alister James
(03) 37433671 legal aid lawyer
CriminalFamilyCivilRefugee & immigrationAlister George James QSO
Andrew Mccormick Barrister
(021) 03639651 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyAndrew Maxwell McCormick
Andrew Mckenzie - Barrister
(03) 37779801 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyCivilGraham Andrew McKenzie
Anne Gordon Barrister
(03) 661 70001 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerAnne Carolyn Gordon
Anya Gartner - Barrister
(027) 60273461 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceRefugee & immigrationAnya Taraipine Louise Gartner
April Kelland - Barrister
(021) 23081661 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyMental healthApril Claire Kelland
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) 7461561 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Ben Philip Anthony Shamy
C M Ruane - Barrister
(03) 42077781 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyCivilCraig Martin Ruane
Chris Nolan - Barrister
(022) 16672761 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilChristopher Gavin Nolan
Christina Riddell - Barrister
(027) 595 31971 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceChristina Margaret Riddell
Christopher Gullidge, Barrister
(027) 283 16621 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerChristopher Cecil Gullidge
Christopher J Lange
(03) 37755751 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerCivilChristopher John Lange
Christopher Morrall
(03) 37914331 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Christopher Bennett Morrall
Clare Yardley - Barrister
(03) 33819271 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceClare Marie Yardley
D J H Stringer
(03) 34282501 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthDavid John Hillier Stringer
David Goldwater - Barrister
(027) 73333391 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerDavid Goldwater
David Jackson - Barrister
(03) 26031091 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerCivilDavid Michael Jackson
Donald Matthews - Barrister
(027) 22869261 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerDonald James Matthews
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Family legal adviceTui Scott
E.A. Law
(027) 418 31481 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerAliza Jane Eveleigh
Elizabeth Bulger - Barrister
(03) 36634581 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceElizabeth Clare Bulger
Emma Nicol Barrister
(027) 57042291 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerEmma Violet Forsythe Nicol
Eric Yu - Barrister
(022) 67762051 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerCivilMichael Eric Gould
Ethan Huda Barrister
(022) 04292791 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Ethan Huda
Glenda Murphy's Law
(03) 28175721 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceGlenda Joy Murphy
Grant Fletcher - Barrister
(027) 30302231 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4CivilGrant Duncan Fletcher
Grant Tyrrell - Barrister
(03) 36499901 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilGrant Peter Tyrrell
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceRyan James Nicholson
Helen Bennett Barrister
(021) 025731321 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Police station adviceHelen Virginia Bennett
Helen Coutts Barrister
(027) 31249921 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Helen Colleen Coutts
Jai Moss - Barrister
(03) 33922071 legal aid lawyer
CriminalCivilJai Moss
James Rapley - Barrister
(03) 96480001 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4James Richard Rapley KC
James Seaton Barrister
(022) 17437751 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Police station adviceJames Elliott Seaton
Jennifer Fletcher Barrister
(027) 21289191 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Police station adviceFamilyJennifer Amy Ann Fletcher
Joseph Tupaea - Barrister And Solicitor
(021) 12855371 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Tanya Kelly Cooper
Josh Lucas-Barrister
(027) 66845892 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advice- Jessica Morgan Campbell · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Duty lawyer · (021) 472245
- Joshua Maurice Lucas · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice
Josh Macleod Barrister
(021) 023294891 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceJoshua David Norman MacLeod
Jrempe Legal
(027) 75736731 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceGermanJacqueline Rempe
K H Cook - Barrister
(03) 36538101 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilKerry Hayden Cook
K J Mcmenamin & Sons
(03) 36640311 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Paul Brendan McMenamin
K L Chalmers - Barrister
(027) 23305582 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advice- Karen Lee Chalmers · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice · (021) 02710497
- Rose Isobel Josephine Crean · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer
Karen Feltham-Barrister
(021) 8050881 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyKaren Gillian Feltham
Katherine Basire - Barrister
(022) 52305562 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyMental health- Arabella Rosa Maria Georgia Jarman · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Family
- Kathy Jane Basire · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Mental health · (03) 6617000
Kathryn Vesty - Barrister And Solicitor
(03) 341 60561 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceKathryn Sarah Vesty
Keith Owen - Barrister
(03) 36654011 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceKeith Alexander Owen
Kiran Paima - Barrister
(027) 25716521 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceKiran Paima
Kirsten Gray Barrister
(027) 70682812 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advice- Kirsten Jane Gray · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice
- Sunny Arapeta Teki-Clark · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4 · (021) 2205329
Kirsty May - Barrister
(03) 34351931 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyMental healthKirsty Joan May
Linda Drummond Barrister Ltd
(03) 42002641 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthLinda Margaret Drummond
Lockstone Lawyers Limited
(027) 36710972 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advice- Brittany Isabel Helen Holstein · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice · (027) 6011794
- Elena Stavrovska · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice
Matt Smit Barrister
(027) 29935612 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advice- Hannah Frances Reynecke · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer
- Matthew Josiah Smit · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice · (027) 5300763
Matthew Crooymans Barrister
(027) 334 456611 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMatthew Stephen Crooymans
Michael Sandom - Barrister
(03) 36540701 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthMichael Joseph Cameron Sandom
Michael Starling - Barrister
(027) 55299371 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilMental healthMichael Starling
Michelle Barrell & Associates
(021) 025462421 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceMichelle Ann Barrell
Mitchell Friend - Barrister
(021) 22052211 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyMitchell Alexander Friend
Moana Cole Legal Services Ltd
(03) 35445841 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerMoana Michelle Cole
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerJeffrey John McCall
Nicola Hansen Barrister
(03) 36593001 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceMental healthNicola Jean Hansen
O K Jarvis - Barrister
(027) 583 13372 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advice- Harriet Lucy Beaven · Criminal · up to level 2 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice · (027) 2087280
- Olivia Kate Jarvis · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Police station advice
P Doody
(03) 36528131 legal aid lawyer
CriminalDuty lawyerMental healthPeter John Doody
P H B Hall Kc - Barrister
(03) 37788581 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Philip Humphrey Brett Hall KC
P J Shamy Barrister
(021) 22665042 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Civil- Phil John Shamy KC · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Civil
- Simon James Shamy · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4 · (03) 3658566
Parker Chambers
(027) 22753331 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceAllister John Davis
2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceCivil- Clayton Robert David Williams · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer, Family, Family legal advice, Civil
- Harry Thomas Arnott · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4 · (03) 365 5791
Paul James Norcross - Barrister
(027) 65299371 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advicePaul James Norcross
Pegasus Chambers
(03) 366 10001 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerColin Duncan Eason
Peter Dyhrberg - Barrister
(021) 18792051 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerMental healthPeter Nielsen Dyhrberg
Philip Mcdonnell Barrister
(022) 02095121 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4FamilyCivilPhilip Charles McDonnell
Phillip N Allan - Barrister
(027) 54604161 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilPhillip Nigel Allan
4 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivil- Chloe Elizabeth Harrison · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4 · (03) 365 4900
- Leuatea Peseta Iosefa · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4
- Miranda Eve Rout · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Family, Family legal advice
- Nick Richard Rout · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Family, Civil
2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerFamily legal advice- Jennifer Rose McTeigue · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer, Family legal advice
- Tim John Twomey · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4
R J Burnside - Barrister & Solicitor
(021) 7229401 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerRoz Jean Burnside
Richard Peters Barrister
(021) 13103381 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMental healthRichard Andrew Peters
Rupert Ward - Barrister And Solicitor
(021) 8774411 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMental healthRupert Rannie Ward
Serina Bailey - Barrister
(027) 21799471 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyMental healthSerina Gayle Bailey
Shannon Foote Law
(03) 662 97921 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceChristopher John Shannon
Stephanie Grieve Kc - Barrister
(03) 36511451 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4CivilStephanie Margaret Grieve KC
T R Nicholls - Barrister
(021) 20651042 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advice- Todd Richard Nicholls · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice
- Xavier Aidan Craig · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer · (021) 0578081
Teresa Penman - Lawyer
(03) 33185301 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceTeresa Anne Penman
Thomas Harre, Barrister
(027) 32880672 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceRefugee & immigration- Sophie Elizabeth Magson Payne · Criminal · up to level 2 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice · (021) 02556779
- Thomas David Andrew Harre · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Refugee & immigration
Tim Mackenzie - Barrister
(027) 27618971 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Tim James Mackenzie
Timothy James Leighton Barrister
(029) 045197171 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Police station adviceTimothy James Leighton
Trudi Aickin - Barrister
1 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilTrudi Aickin
Vicki A Walsh - Barrister
(027) 30907291 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthVicki Anne Walsh
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4FamilyKristy Mary O'Connor
Wynn Williams & Co
(03) 37976222 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4- Christina Audra Twyman · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4
- Emma Rosina Pairman · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4
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.
Other types of case in Christchurch
Criminal legal aid lawyers in nearby towns
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.