Justice · New Zealand
Getting legal help
Legal aid is assessed case by case. Ministry of Justice looks at your finances and whether your matter is serious enough to justify public funding. This guide explains what to check before you assume legal aid will apply.
- Official New Zealand sources
- Private · No account
What legal aid is
Legal aid may pay for some or all of a lawyer's fees when you cannot afford legal representation and your case meets Ministry of Justice criteria.
Legal aid
- Who
- People who cannot afford a lawyer for eligible family, civil or criminal matters.
- Why it matters
- Can provide funded representation when income, assets and the seriousness of the case meet legal aid rules.
- Next step
- Read the overview, then apply or ask a legal aid lawyer to help with your application.
- Approval is not automatic. The Ministry assesses both your finances and the merits of your case.
- You may receive a grant for only part of your legal costs. You might need to repay some or all of it later.
- Some matters, such as minor disputes or certain commercial cases, may not qualify.
What is hard to predict
Legal aid decisions depend on details that are difficult to guess from general information alone.
- Income limits and asset tests change. A rough estimate is not the same as an approved grant.
- The Ministry may decline aid if it considers your case unlikely to succeed or not serious enough.
- Even with legal aid, you may need to pay user charges or repay costs from a property settlement or estate.
- Community law centres and Citizens Advice may help you understand options if legal aid is not available.
Applying
Apply for legal aid
- Who
- Anyone considering legal aid for an eligible matter.
- Why it matters
- The formal application collects financial details and case information for Ministry assessment.
- Next step
- Apply online or through a legal aid lawyer. Have payslips, benefit letters and asset details ready.
Not sure what applies?
Answer a few questions and MyEligible will suggest supports worth checking first.
Check benefits and supportsOfficial sources used for this guide
Sources reviewed 2026-09-10. No guessed payment amounts.