Legal resources for COVID-19
Legal Aid operations
From the 24th March 2020, Legal Aid closed their offices to protect the public and their staff. They are still providing advice and assistance over the phone. If you need legal help, call 1800 888 529, or you can contact your closest Legal Aid office. The Legal Aid office closest to Glebe and Forest Lodge is:
Central Sydney Legal Aid Office (Head Office)
323 Castlereagh Street
Haymarket 2000
Ph: 02 92195000
Fax: 02 92195935
DX: 5 Haymarket
TTY: 02 92195126
Resources
You can also access a range of Legal aid resources designed to assist individuals with COVID-19 related legal issues. The resources can be accessed through their website. Resource topics include:
Understanding COVID-19 restrictions - in multiple languages
Courts, police and crime - How courts are handling ADVO applications during COVID-19
Domestic violence - a range of factsheets to support individuals at risk of family violence
Families, relationships and children - COVID-19 changes to family court and self representation tips, child support and family payments, divorce, parenting plan, family law and school shutdowns, financial stress, divorce and separation, and much more
Government and rights - Centrelink, Guardianship and mental health, housing, public health orders
Housing and tenancy - How COVID-19 will affect you. Information about housing issues like eviction, breaking a lease, social housing and homelessness
Jobs and employment - Information about your employment rights during COVID-19
Money, debt and fines - Information about debts, loans, bills, insurance claims, and superannuation
Practitioner resources - information for legal practitioners, community workers, and people working with refugees and meeting with children
Public Safety - Public safety guidelines for looking after yourself and your community
Resources from other government organisations - LawAccess, NSW Department of Communities and Services, Service NSW
Changes to court appearances due to COVID-19
Courts and tribunals have minimised the need to attend in person. If you need to go to court, make sure you are up to date with the changes. The NSW Communities and Justice page will provide detailed information.
Do not attend a court or tribunal if you:
have travelled and returned from overseas in the past 14 days
have had contact with a diagnosed, suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days
you are feeling unwell and have any of the following symptoms:
fever
cough
sore throat
shortness of breath
If you cannot attend a court, or if you are unsure, contact the Courts Service Centre by email nswcsc@justice.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 679 272.
If you have enquiries relating to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) call 1300 006 228 or visit www.ncat.nsw.gov.au.
For information about about measures at specific courts and tribunals, visit the NSW Communities and Justice site.
If you have been asked to attend jury duty or received a summons to attend court for jury service, contact the juror information line on 1300 780 199 or visit www.juror.nsw.gov.au.
