Legal Aid summary
The Christchurch Legal Aid Office remains closed.
The Legal Services Agency is working closely with the Canterbury-Westland branch of the New Zealand Law Society to ensure duty lawyers are available in the Christchurch area.
Legal aid applications received at the Christchurch Legal Aid Office before 22 February and entered into the LSA computer system but that have not had decisions made will be assessed at another office to see if a decision can be made based on the information available, without the file. For legal aid applications in progress where decisions have been made, letters will be resent to applicants outside the Christchurch metropolitan area. Letters to those inside the Christchurch metropolitan area will be posted at a later stage.
Christchurch legal aid clients and lawyers can call the Christchurch office on 03 363 6500 for information (calls will be re-directed to another Legal Aid Office). Files and application forms will not be retrieved until the Christchurch Legal Aid Office is safe to enter. Applicants and legal aid providers who have not received a letter by 4 March should phone 03 363 6500. A new application form may have to be completed.
Application forms are on the Agency's website at www.lsa.govt.nz/lawyers/forms-and-resources/application-forms.php. Applications can be faxed to 03 379 8742 or emailed to info@lsa.govt.nz. All DX, faxes and telephone calls have been re-directed so Christchurch numbers can still be used for any queries. (Source: Information provided by Legal Services Agency).