Legal aid lawyers in Gisborne
25 lawyers at 16 firms in Gisborne 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 Gisborne at a glance
- 19 lawyers can take criminal legal aid cases, including the most serious charges (level 4 of 4).
- 17 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.
- 11 lawyers can take family legal aid cases, and 10 give family legal advice.
- 5 lawyers can take civil legal aid cases, such as ACC or employment.
- Some also take mental health (4) cases.
- Languages other than English: Mandarin (2), Cantonese (1), French (1).
Free help near Gisborne
Free legal advice
Tairāwhiti Community Law
Gisborne office · In Gisborne
(06) 868 3392Free legal help from lawyers, for people who can't afford one. Contact details and clinics
Free advice and forms
CAB Gisborne
124A Bright Street, Gisborne
In Gisborne
06 867 2606Walk in, call or email. They can help you understand forms and find the right service.
Duty lawyer
Gisborne District Court
1 Customhouse Street, Gisborne
In Gisborne
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 Gisborne. Checked 5 October 2026. Offices sometimes move, so call before you go.
Legal aid lawyers in Gisborne, A to Z
Every lawyer the Ministry of Justice lists in Gisborne, grouped by firm. Call to check they can take your case.
A W Clarke Legal
(06) 86811661 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthAlistair William Clarke
Elliot Lynch - Barrister
(06) 86809091 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceElliot Victor Lynch
Jessica Maclellan Lawyer
(027) 46212611 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceJess Mary MacLellan
Mjl Law
(021) 22338321 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMichael James Lynch
Mr Law (Marie Lillian Roberts - Barrister)
(021) 4900101 legal aid lawyer
FamilyMarie Lillian Roberts
Ngahuia Legal
(027) 38080631 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceHolly Ngahuia Tunstall
Nicola Wright - Barrister
(021) 22284951 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceNicola Helen Wright
3 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal advice- Julie Lynette Mettrick · Family, Family legal advice
- Sapphire Paris Petrie-McVean · Family, Family legal advice
- Tayla Becky Coburn · Family, Family legal advice
Rose Legal
(022) 60334421 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceJess Rose MacPherson
Tairawhiti Community Law
(06) 86780121 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceLinda Mairi Ellis
Tiaki Legal
(027) 36447101 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceMental healthManaaki Alan Terekia
Tiana Epati, Barrister
(027) 29255301 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Police station adviceTiana Epati KC
Turanga Legal
(022) 30500551 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerMana Waiaroha Kaihika Taumaunu
Vaughn Blake Law
(021) 082177932 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilMental health- Audrey Rose Genevieve Aitcheson · Criminal · up to level 2 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice · (022) 4914692
- Heather Briana Vaughn · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Civil, Mental health
Vicki Thorpe
(06) 86811661 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthVicki Louise Thorpe
7 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilCantoneseFrenchMandarin- Adam Mervyn Simperingham · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Civil
- Alison Jan Bendall · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer, Civil · (06) 8641174
- Daniel Alan Berry · Criminal · up to level 2 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice · (06) 8690917
- Kai Cheung Leung · Criminal · up to level 2 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Civil · (06) 8691542
- Roger Andrew John Stoves · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4 · (05)08 8690920
- Rory Cameron David Bevins · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer · (027) 5371092
- Ruizhe Tang · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer · (06) 8690900
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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