Farm and rural legal service

Free legal service for Queensland producers and rural businesses—no means or merits tests are required to access the service.

When you need legal advice 

Get legal advice if are a rural producer or operate a rural based business and have:

  • severe debt problems
  • a dispute with a lender
  • financial hardship relating to their rural business
  • received an enforcement action notice from a bank or lender.

How to get legal advice

About the Farm and Rural Legal Service 

The Farm and Rural Legal Service provides free and confidential assistance to Queensland producers and related rural businesses. No means or merits tests are required to access the service.

Farm and Rural Legal Service lawyers are based in our Brisbane office \but can organise video or telephone conferences or travel across Queensland to remote locations including on farm to give legal advice.

Our lawyers provide legal advice on:

  • enforcement action notices
  • legal documents
  • legal processes
  • legal options
  • the conduct and actions of other parties
  • Queensland and Commonwealth laws, including the Farm Business Debt Mediation Act 2017 (Qld), Farm Debt Mediation Act 1994 (NSW), and the Credit (Rural Finance) Act 1996 (Qld). 

They can:

  • write letters on your behalf
  • provide written opinions
  • negotiate on your behalf
  • attend bank meetings and farm debt mediations
  • complete documents
  • work with personal advisors, such as rural financial counsellors, agronomists, accountants and private lawyers
  • advocate on behalf of rural producers and related businesses
  • deliver expert legal information at rural community meetings
  • create, review and submit policy submissions on legal issues affecting the rural sector

They cannot:

  • represent you in legal proceedings before the courts including drafting or completing court forms
  • Undertake conveyancing work or work involving wills and estates

Our lawyers can meet you at:

  • a venue of your choice including on farm
  • your local Legal Aid Queensland office
  • by telephone or video conference.

Services and advice provided by Farm and Rural Legal Service are confidential. We will not give your personal or legal information to anyone without your authorisation. 

How to get legal advice

Contact us

Other places to get legal advice:

Who else can help?

Related information

Disclaimer: This content is for general purposes only and not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please contact us or speak to a lawyer. View our full disclaimer.

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