Legal aid lawyers in Dunedin
44 lawyers at 42 firms in Dunedin 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).
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.
If it's a family matter
- Find a family legal aid lawyer first. Call a few from the list until one can take your case.
- Your lawyer helps you apply for legal aid. Bring details of your income, savings, debts and anything you own.
- Bring any letters or court papers about your case, and your partner's income details if you have a partner.
If it's a civil matter
- Civil legal aid can cover things like ACC, problems at work, money and housing disputes.
- Find a civil legal aid lawyer first. Fewer lawyers do this work, so start calling early.
- Your lawyer helps you apply for legal aid.
Legal aid in Dunedin at a glance
- 25 lawyers can take criminal legal aid cases, including the most serious charges (level 4 of 4).
- 18 lawyers work as duty lawyers, the free help at court on your first day.
- 13 lawyers give free advice to people held by the police.
- 30 lawyers can take family legal aid cases, and 16 give family legal advice.
- 15 lawyers can take civil legal aid cases, such as ACC or employment.
- Some also take mental health (9) cases.
Free help near Dunedin
Free legal advice
Community Law Otago
Dunedin office · In Dunedin
(03) 474 1922Free legal help from lawyers, for people who can't afford one. Contact details and clinics
Free advice and forms
CAB Dunedin
Rodgers House, Ground Floor, 155 Princes Street, Dunedin
In Dunedin
03 471 6166Walk in, call or email. They can help you understand forms and find the right service.
Duty lawyer
Dunedin District Court
Corner of Stuart and Dunbar Streets, Dunedin
In Dunedin
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 Dunedin. Checked 5 October 2026. Offices sometimes move, so call before you go.
Legal aid lawyers in Dunedin, A to Z
Every lawyer the Ministry of Justice lists in Dunedin, grouped by firm. Call to check they can take your case.
Adele Isaacs Aligned Barrister Limited
(021) 14096191 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceAdele Elizabeth Isaacs
Alison Douglass - Barrister
(03) 47734881 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4FamilyCivilMental healthAlison Jane Douglass
Andrew Belcher - Barrister
(027) 56580001 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyCivilAndrew Wilfrid Belcher
Andrew Dawson Barrister
(022) 17055271 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceAndrew Michael Dawson
Anne Stevens Kc - Barrister
(027) 57300221 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Police station adviceMental healthAnne Anne Stevens KC
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceAlexandra Christina Merrick Bligh
Bridget Byers - Barrister
(03) 47775681 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceBridget Ann Byers
Christine Lynch Barrister
(027) 82824451 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthChristopher Maurice Lynch
Cilla Dickinson - Barrister
(03) 47011951 legal aid lawyer
FamilyCilla Jane Dickinson
Crs Legal
(022) 09891101 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyCivilMental healthKelly Christina Beazley
Deborah Henderson - Barrister
(027) 34451791 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceMental healthDeborah Lee Henderson
Donna Wingham - Barrister
(03) 47706001 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceDonna Karen Wingham
G A Paine - Barrister
(027) 448 52421 legal aid lawyer
CriminalCivilGordon Allan Paine
Henry Benson-Pope Barrister
(027) 28694181 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Henry David Benson-Pope
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceCivilJenny Elaine Beck
Jim Takas - Barrister & Solicitor
(027) 41849951 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceMental healthJames Paul Takas
John A Westgate - Barrister
(027) 44011351 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceJohn Arthur Westgate
Judith Ablett-Kerr Onzm Kc
(03) 47733901 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Police station adviceCivilJudith Mary Ablett Kerr KC ONZM
Karen Hanna - Barrister
(03) 47772531 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceKaren Hanna
Katie Lane Barrister
(03) 47770771 legal aid lawyer
CriminalFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthKatherine Helena Lane
Liam Collins - Barrister
(027) 34824081 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceLiam Stevenson Collins
Louise Garthwaite Barrister
(027) 22162911 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceLouise Joy Garthwaite
Mark Kirkland Barrister
(03) 47734881 legal aid lawyer
FamilyCivilMark Graeme Kirkland
Max Winders - Lawyer
(03) 47796961 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerMental healthMax James Winders
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyRuth Elizabeth Wormald
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceCivilChris James Medlicott
Meg Scally Barrister
(021) 05791601 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceMegan Jane Scally
Noel Rayner - Barrister
(03) 47706361 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMental healthNoel Lindon Rayner
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyCivilMichaela Clare Ryan
Rhona Daysh - Barrister
(029) 47725361 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerRhona Graham Daysh
Ripple Legal And Resolution Services Limited
(022) 69552461 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceDaniel Nicholas Van Der Wel
Rochelle Crossman - Barrister
(03) 47751551 legal aid lawyer
CriminalDuty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceRochelle Paula Crossman
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyCivilNathan Mackay Laws
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilSarah Astrid Saunderson-Warner
Sasha Dolby Barrister
(03) 47772531 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceSasha May Dolby
Staley Cardoza Lawyers
(03) 47788561 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceRachel Edna Cardoza
Stephen Mcauslin - Barrister
(027) 53448331 legal aid lawyer
FamilyStephen Mark James McAuslin
Stephen Turner - Barrister
(03) 47710161 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceStephen Malcolm Turner
Trevor J Shiels Kc
(03) 47740301 legal aid lawyer
CriminalFamilyCivilTrevor John Shiels KC
Val Farrow Lawyer
(027) 33878101 legal aid lawyer
FamilyVal Elizabeth Farrow
Westgate Harris Lawyers Limited
(03) 41800412 legal aid lawyers
FamilyCivil- Rhonda Phyllis Harris · Family, Civil · (03) 4772676
- Savanna Alexis Westgate · Family
Wilkinson Rodgers Lawyers
(03) 47798442 legal aid lawyers
FamilyFamily legal adviceCivil- Ben Andrew Jose Taylor · Family, Family legal advice, Civil
- Heidi Jayne Gray · Family · (03) 471 7544
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.
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