Legal aid lawyers in Hastings
32 lawyers at 18 firms in Hastings 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 Hastings at a glance
- 12 lawyers can take criminal legal aid cases, including the most serious charges (level 4 of 4).
- 12 lawyers work as duty lawyers, the free help at court on your first day.
- 4 lawyers give free advice to people held by the police.
- 20 lawyers can take family legal aid cases, and 19 give family legal advice.
- 4 lawyers can take civil legal aid cases, such as ACC or employment.
- Some also take mental health (4) cases.
- Languages other than English: Te Reo Māori (1).
Free help near Hastings
Free legal advice
Hawke's Bay Community Law
Hastings office · In Hastings
(06) 878 4868Free legal help from lawyers, for people who can't afford one. Contact details and clinics
Free advice and forms
CAB Hastings
112 Queen Street East, Hastings
In Hastings
06 878 0525Walk in, call or email. They can help you understand forms and find the right service.
Duty lawyer
Hastings District Court
106 Eastbourne Street West, Hastings
In Hastings
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 Hastings. Checked 5 October 2026. Offices sometimes move, so call before you go.
Legal aid lawyers in Hastings, A to Z
Every lawyer the Ministry of Justice lists in Hastings, grouped by firm. Call to check they can take your case.
5 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceMental health- Donna Marie Carroll · Family, Family legal advice
- Kirsten Jane Westwood · Family, Family legal advice · (06) 8703370
- Kirstin Gwenda Monk · Family, Family legal advice
- Rebekah Anderton · Family, Family legal advice, Mental health
- Shannon Judith McKay · Family, Family legal advice
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceBibby Ronberg
4 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMental health- Briannah Elanor Thorne · Mental health
- Charlie Edward Robson · Family · (06) 8728210
- Damandeep Kaur Sadhra · Family, Family legal advice
- Roger Benson Philip · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Family, Family legal advice, Civil · (06) 8728210
C E Church - Hawkes Bay Law
(06) 87841071 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceClifford Ernest Church
Clint Rickards - Barrister
(021) 27778381 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceClinton John Tukotahi Rickards
Don Kennedy - Solicitor
(06) 87852111 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceDon John Kennedy
Dvs Law Limited
(06) 28052341 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceYvonne Thea de Vries-Smith
Echo Haronga Barrister
(022) 643 58822 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerTe Reo Māori- Echo Isobel Haronga · Criminal · up to level 2 of 4, Duty lawyer · (027) 3246529
- Lyle Michael Chetty · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer
Eric Forster - Barrister
(06) 87830093 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivil- Eric James Forster · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Duty lawyer, Police station advice, Civil
- Jakob John Frank Apollos Pana-Pearson · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer · (027) 565 6147
- Stephen Beng Wah Yee · Criminal · up to level 3 of 4, Duty lawyer · (027) 2927250
Gavin English - Barrister
(022) 54446031 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerGavin Anthony English
4 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceMental health- Angela Ihipera Davis · Family, Family legal advice, Mental health
- Ingrid Pamela Squire · Family, Family legal advice
- Kezia Elise Taylor · Family, Family legal advice
- Louise Mary Laugesen · Family, Family legal advice
Linda Fulton - Barrister
(09) 37980331 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerLinda Shirley Fulton
M J Phelps - Barrister
(06) 87032231 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilMatthew James Phelps
Mansfield Law
(06) 87840932 legal aid lawyers
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceMental health- Graeme Richard Mansfield · Family, Family legal advice, Mental health
- Kris Anthony Tuanui · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer
Maria Hamilton - Barrister
(06) 83360101 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceMaria Christine Hamilton
Ruahine Law
(06) 87486891 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceAndrew Mark Gallie
Thrive Lawyers
(021) 7991481 legal aid lawyer
CivilBelinda Anne Brans
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceZelda Tope
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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