Family Law Duty Lawyer Service Brochure - text version

The Family Law Duty Lawyer Service is a free service for people who are representing themselves in the Family Law Courts.

Duty Lawyers can:
 Assist with legal information or advice about your court hearing and/or legal problem;
 Help you with drafting simple documents;
 Provide representation in court to assist you to progress your matter;
 Assist you in negotiations with the other party’s lawyer when your matter is in court;
 Refer you to the most appropriate legal assistance, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or non-legal service;
 In urgent matters involving a Recovery Application, act immediately to start legal proceedings.

Duty Lawyers cannot:
 Prepare complex court documents e.g. Applications/Responses and Affidavits;
 Represent you for Interim Hearings, Contravention and Final Hearings (Trials);
 Provide specific legal advice or representation in court if there is a conflict of interest (e.g. if the other party or a child is represented or has been previously represented by Legal Aid). In such cases the Duty Lawyer will provide general information only.

Hobart:
The Hobart Duty Lawyer will be available from 1pm until 3pm every Monday (except public holidays) AND from 9.30am until 1pm and from 2pm
until 4pm every Wednesday.

Launceston:
The Launceston Duty Lawyer will be available from 9.30am until 12 noon and from 1pm until 4pm every Monday (except public holidays).

Devonport:
The Devonport Duty Lawyer will be available from 9.15am on Divorce List days.

Burnie:
The Burnie Duty Lawyer will be available from 9.30am on Duty List days.

This service is free.

At the court, look for the Duty Lawyer signs or ask a member of the court staff to put you in contact with the Duty Lawyer.

The Duty Lawyers are located at the Family Law Courts and the Federal Circuit Courts:

Hobart Family Court
1st Floor
39-41 Davey Street
Hobart

Launceston Family Court
3rd Floor, ANZ Building
Corner Brisbane and George Streets
Launceston

Federal Circuit Courts when sitting on the North West Coast are located at:

Devonport Magistrates Court
8 Griffith Street
Devonport

Burnie Magistrates Court
38 Alexander Street
Burnie

It is recommended that you contact us on 1800 431 157 or either (03) 6236 3800 for Hobart or (03) 6328 4000 for Launceston to make an appointment. Or you can drop in at the times the Duty Lawyer is available, but you may need to wait. Please note that when court is in session the Duty Lawyer is only available to assist those appearing in court on that day.

Applications for divorce are now completed online on the Family Court website: www.familycourt.gov.au under the heading ‘How do I apply for a divorce’.

In both Hobart and Launceston we are able to offer assistance with understanding how to complete your online divorce application at our Monday sessions between 1pm and 2pm.

Would you like to get legal advice but cannot attend the times the Family Law Duty Lawyer is available?

Come in for free legal advice. If you need representation, we can advise you and make an application for Legal Aid.