Legal aid lawyers in Palmerston North
29 lawyers at 24 firms in Palmerston North 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 Palmerston North at a glance
- 15 lawyers can take criminal legal aid cases, including the most serious charges (level 4 of 4).
- 9 lawyers work as duty lawyers, the free help at court on your first day.
- 9 lawyers give free advice to people held by the police.
- 18 lawyers can take family legal aid cases, and 14 give family legal advice.
- 1 lawyer can take civil legal aid cases, such as ACC or employment.
- Some also take mental health (2) cases.
Free help near Palmerston North
Free legal advice
Community Law Manawatū, Horowhenua & Tararua
Palmerston North office · In Palmerston North
Free legal help from lawyers, for people who can't afford one. Contact details and clinics
Free advice and forms
CAB Palmerston North
77 King Street, Palmerston North 4410
In Palmerston North
06 357 0647Walk in, call or email. They can help you understand forms and find the right service.
Duty lawyer
Palmerston North District Court
486 Main Street East, Palmerston North
In Palmerston North
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 Palmerston North. Checked 5 October 2026. Offices sometimes move, so call before you go.
Legal aid lawyers in Palmerston North, A to Z
Every lawyer the Ministry of Justice lists in Palmerston North, grouped by firm. Call to check they can take your case.
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceAmber Jane Parlato
Anderson Law
(021) 8500631 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilyFamily legal adviceMarina Jane Anderson
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyGuy Joshua Carlile Carter
Cooper Cross Limited
(021) 03182471 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceFamilySimon Jonathan Parsons
3 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal advice- Carly Louise Davidson · Family, Family legal advice · (06) 2421020
- Jo Susan Calvert-Murray · Family, Family legal advice
- Nicole Kelly · Family, Family legal advice
Deborah Davies Law
(021) 662 6831 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Police station adviceDeborah Ruth Davies
Esme Killeen - Barrister & Solicitor
(021) 9418921 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceEsme Christina Killeen
Fergus Steedman
(06) 3551174 ext11 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Police station adviceFergus David Steedman
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceKarina Eliana Job
Greg Woollaston - Barrister And Solicitor
(06) 77756211 legal aid lawyer
FamilyFamily legal adviceGreg James Woollaston
Jacinda Younger - Barrister & Solicitor
(027) 22042571 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceJacinda Ann Younger
Josh Harvey Barrister
(06) 880 84001 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Police station adviceJoshua Johnathan Harvey
Mark Alderdice - Barrister
(027) 45720461 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPolice station adviceMark Richard Alderdice
1 legal aid lawyer · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal adviceMental healthHilary Jane McKenna
Michael Andrews - Barrister
(027) 471 92921 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 1 of 4Duty lawyerMike Andrews
Michelle Woods Barrister
(06) 882 98681 legal aid lawyer
FamilyMental healthMichelle Robyn Woods
Penelope Walker - Barrister
(06) 35545531 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerPenelope Anne Walker
Phillip Drummond - Barrister
(06) 35499441 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4CivilPhillip John Drummond
Richard Bedford - Barrister & Solicitor
(06) 35377051 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceRichard Arthur Bedford
3 legal aid lawyers · See firm page →
FamilyFamily legal advice- Richard Beaumont Victor Lewis · Family, Family legal advice
- Sonya May Worboys · Family, Family legal advice
- Susan Kiehne · Family, Family legal advice
Stephen Winter Barrister
(06) 24200931 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 4 of 4Steve Stephen Winter
Tim Hesketh Law Limited
(021) 16785401 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Duty lawyerFamilyFamily legal adviceTimothy Edward Hesketh
Timothy Jacob Law
0800 8555292 legal aid lawyers
FamilyFamily legal advice- Pete John Pavandra Tuala · Family, Family legal advice
- Ursula Anne Nicholls · Family · (06) 777 5979
Tom Bagnall Barrister
(027) 50916131 legal aid lawyer
Criminal · up to level 2 of 4Police station adviceThomas Bagnall
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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