Legal aid lawyers in New Plymouth
36 lawyers at 25 firms in New Plymouth 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 New Plymouth at a glance
- 15 lawyers can take criminal legal aid cases, including the most serious charges (level 4 of 4).
- 13 lawyers work as duty lawyers, the free help at court on your first day.
- 8 lawyers give free advice to people held by the police.
- 24 lawyers can take family legal aid cases, and 17 give family legal advice.
- 9 lawyers can take civil legal aid cases, such as ACC or employment.
- Some also take mental health (4) cases.
Free help near New Plymouth
Free legal advice
Community Law Taranaki
New Plymouth office · In New Plymouth
(06) 759 1492Free legal help from lawyers, for people who can't afford one. Contact details and clinics
Free advice and forms
CAB New Plymouth
Community House, (at the end of the car park next to the YMCA), 32 Leach Street, New Plymouth 4310
In New Plymouth
06 758 9542Walk in, call or email. They can help you understand forms and find the right service.
Duty lawyer
New Plymouth District Court
Corner Robe & Powderham Streets, New Plymouth
In New Plymouth
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 New Plymouth. Checked 5 October 2026. Offices sometimes move, so call before you go.
Legal aid lawyers in New Plymouth, A to Z
Every lawyer the Ministry of Justice lists in New Plymouth, grouped by firm. Call to check they can take your case.
Andrew Laurenson Bank Chambers
(06) 76994001 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerAndrew Richard Laurenson
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceCivilAlexa Bree Carey
Connect Legal Taranaki
(06) 76980803 legal aid lawyers
FamilyFamily legal adviceCivil- Bridget Mary Burke · Family · (06) 769 8080
- Eleanor Judith Connole · Family, Family legal advice, Civil
- Todd Anthony Western · Family, Family legal advice
Gelston Legal Limited
(06) 769 94001 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceCivilCara Anne Gelston
4 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceMental health- Elise Amy Anne Hart · Family · (027) 2871020
- Erika Mae Barr · Family, Mental health
- Paige Nicole Dalley · Family · (027) 2845309
- Richard Stephen Palairet Lyttelton · Family, Family legal advice · (06) 7683700
Hannam & Co Lawyers
1 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceJulian Cameron Hannam
Hwf Legal
(022) 31248051 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceHamish Webster Fairey
Jb Barrister
(027) 38711141 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilJacob Elliot Bourke
Josephine Mooney - Barrister
(027) 30090081 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceJosephine Isobel Mooney
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceKelly Maree Marriner
Malone Law Ltd
(06) 26200151 legal aid lawyer
CriminalDuty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceCivilShayne Kevin Malone
Mark James Utting Barrister
(022) 12768171 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerMark James Utting
4 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal advice- Aveael Joann-Rachael Webb · Family, Family legal advice
- Jessica Kate Churchman · Family, Family legal advice
- Kylie Jayne Briggs · Family, Family legal advice
- Sade Margaret Sadd · Family
Murray Cochrane - Barrister
(06) 76994001 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceMurray Drysdale Cochrane
Nathan Bourke - Barrister
(06) 39111211 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceCivilNathan Phillip Bourke
3 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal advice- Colleen Ellen O'Sullivan · Family, Family legal advice · (027) 2767080
- Emily Bridget Forsyth · Criminal · up to level 1 of 4, Duty lawyer
- Kylie Ruth Pascoe · Criminal · up to level 4 of 4, Police station advice
Nina Laird - Barrister
(027) 55556241 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 3 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceNina Lorraine Laird
Paul Keegan Kc - Barrister
(027) 273 65081 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station advicePaul Michael Keegan KC
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMental healthCatherine Mary Quin
Rhiannon Stannard - Barrister
(027) 55530541 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceRhiannon Suzanne Stannard
Steven Rollo Barrister
(021) 18752451 legal aid lawyer
FamilySteven Welch Rollo
Susan Hughes Kc
(06) 76994001 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Susan Wendy Hughes KC
Susan Hurley Barrister
(06) 75912391 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerFamilySusan Therese Hurley
Taranaki Community Law Trust
(06) 759 14921 legal aid lawyer
CivilLars Eric Hansen
2 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceCivilMental health- Gordon James Wilson · Family, Family legal advice, Mental health
- Sandy Leonie Dodunski · Family, Family legal advice, Civil, Mental health
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.
By type of case in New Plymouth
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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.