Legal Aid Queensland is a statutory authority that provides legal information, advice and representation to financially disadvantaged Queenslanders.
What we do
We specialise in criminal, family and civil law. We offer legal help - information, advice and representation - across all areas. Our information and advice services are free to all Queenslanders. Representation is available to people who meet our means and merit test guidelines.
Criminal law
We are the state's largest criminal law practice. We employ many of Queensland's leading criminal defence solicitors and counsel who represent individuals (both children and adults) charged with criminal offences before all court jurisdictions in Queensland. From duty lawyer services to major and complex cases heard in the Supreme Court, we are an integral and driving force in Queensland's criminal justice system.
Family law
Our Family Law Practice provides specialist family law services in the areas of child support, child representation, domestic violence and general family law matters. Much of the practice's work is dedicated to ensuring children have a voice in the legal system and their best interests are considered and met.
Civil law
Our Civil Justice Practice provides Legal Aid Queensland's civil law services. The team, which specialises in criminal injuries compensation, consumer law disputes and anti-discrimination law, undertakes casework, provides legal advice, legal information and community education on a statewide basis, and participates in law reform.
Where we are located
We have 14 offices throughout Queensland: Brisbane (central office); Cairns; Townsville; Mount Isa; Mackay; Rockhampton; Bundaberg; Maroochydore; Caboolture; Woodridge; Inala; Ipswich; Toowoomba; and Southport.
Our purpose, vision and values
Our purpose
To provide legal services to financially disadvantaged people.
Our vision
To be a leader in a fair justice system that responds to the diverse needs of disadvantaged people.
Our values
Social justice
We protect people’s rights, ensure they receive fair treatment, and reduce their risk of social exclusion.
Respect
We show respect for the people we assist and those with whom we work.
Quality
We continue to improve the quality of our work and the outcomes for our clients.
Effectiveness
We deliver responsive and cost-effective services by working with our suppliers and the community.
Toward Q2 ambition
We support the state government’s Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland ambition Fair – Supporting safe and caring communities, through legal services that deliver fair outcomes and protect vulnerable and disadvantaged people’s rights and interests.
Our objectives
Our first priority is ensuring as many Queenslanders as possible have access to quality legal services.
We work tirelessly to help Queenslanders overcome hurdles which would normally see them unable to access legal help. From financial and social disadvantage to the challenges created by distance and geographical location, we tailor our services to address the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders.
Our service charter
We are committed to providing a quality service to all our customers, as outlined in our service charter.
How we are funded
We are funded by the Queensland Government to undertake state law matters, ie criminal law and civil law matters. Other sources of funding for state law matters include solicitor trust fund interest, client contributions and interest on invested Legal Aid Queensland funds.
We are funded by the Australian Government to undertake Commonwealth law matters, ie family law matters. The funding priorities set out by the Commonwealth for family law matters stipulate protecting the safety of a child or spouse who is at risk, is to be given highest priority for grants of aid in family law matters. The Commonwealth also stipulates that as far as possible, priority should be given to resolving family law matters through non litigious processes, ie dispute resolution and counselling.