Criminal legal aid lawyers in Hastings
12 lawyers at 9 firms in Hastings 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 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.
- 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.
Criminal 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.
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilRoger Benson Philip
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
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
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) 87840931 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerKris Anthony Tuanui
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 Hastings
Criminal legal aid lawyers in nearby towns
All legal aid lawyers in Hawke's Bay →
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