Where to Find Legal Advice and Assistance

If you require legal advice there are a range of service providers which encompass both the private and public sphere. Depending on your particular circumstances you may be able to find assistance either from a private lawyer or law firm, a public legal service or schemes of last resort (often referred to as pro bono assistance schemes).


Private Law Firms
If you are seeking referral to a private lawyer or law firm the Law Society of Western Australia manages a database of members which identifies areas of expertise. You can contact the Society and we can provide you with the names of three private legal service providers who meet your requested criteria. Please note that Society is unable to make personal recommendations.

• Email: info@lawsocietywa.asn.au
• Phone: (08) 9322 7877

Free or Low Cost Legal Services
For information about legal aid in Western Australia, visit the following site:

• Legal Aid Western Australia

Information about services provided by Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia can be found at their website:

• Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia

Information about Native Title services and Native Title Representative Bodies can be found through the following links:

• Native Titles Representative Bodies and Service Providers
• National Native Title Tribunal

Community Legal Centres operate throughout Western Australia and can assist with a range of legal issues. Information about your nearest centre can be located at the Community Legal Centres Association (WA) website.

• Community Legal Centres Association (WA)

For information about Community Legal Centres in other states and territories view the following site:

• National Association of Community Legal Centres

Pro Bono Schemes
Pro bono services seek to provide assistance to members of the community that cannot afford the private services of a lawyer and who do not qualify for assistance from a public service provider may qualify for assistance from a pro bono scheme. The following links provide information about the types of scheme and services available in Western Australia and interstate:

• Law Access (service provided by the Law Society of Western Australia)
• Western Australian Bar Association
• Legal Aid Western Australia (Civil Litigation Assistance Scheme)

A number of private law firms also offer community pro bono programs and information about these schemes can be found through the following links.

• Blake Dawson
• Freehills - Email probono@freehills.com
• Mallesons Stephen Jaques- Email adam.levine@mallesons.com

Pro Bono Services and Public Interest Clearing Houses in other states and territories.

• National Pro Bono Resource Centre
• Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House Incorporated
• Public Interest Law Clearing House (Victoria)
• Justice Net (South Australia)
• Public Interest Law Clearing House (NSW)
• ACT Law Society
• Law Society Northern Territory

Unrepresented Litigants

The following links provide procedural information for unrepresented litigants appearing in various Western Australian courts:

Family Court WA Handbooks:

• Children's Cases
• Property

District Court:

• Unrepresented litigants information webpage

More Information

• Where to find information and resources about the law
• Courts and Tribunals
• Other legal services