Using the Legal system and Legal Aid

The legal system was created to help all Australian in Resolving disputes in a peaceful and fair way. This however, does not mean that Australians have an automatic right to legal representation. All though you can represent yourself in the court, this is very difficult as laws are very complex and most struggle to understand.

While there is no automatic right to a lawyer, there is always a right to a fair trial.

The legal system

Legal aid

Legal aid is to ensure that people obtain fair treatment in the legal system. Legal aid was first introduced by the Whitlam labour government in 1972. The legal aids role is to provide legal assistance to people who are unable to afford there own lawyer. Any person can obtain minutes of free legal advice.

If futher advice is needed then you must file a formal application for assistance. You must then go through a series of test- the means test, the merit test and the jurisdiction test.

Discuss what the legal system allows us to do & the role of Legal Aid