NTCAT staff can provide you with information about NTCAT processes and procedures, but not legal advice.
There are a range of services in the Northern Territory that can help you with free or low-cost legal information, advice and assistance.
A list of services is provided below for your information. All services are provided by organisations external to NTCAT. If you require assistance, you should contact the relevant service directly to see if they can help you.
Legal Services
There are a range options for obtaining legal advice:
- Contact the private solicitor of your choice
- Use the NT Law Society First Interview Scheme
- Contact a free legal service
Legal advice providers may give you legal advice and support and answer your questions about:
- Whether you should bring your case before NTCAT (or somewhere else, for example a Court)
- What the outcome of your case may be
- What evidence you might need to prove your case
- The meaning or effect of an NTCAT decision or order (although you may have rights to seek a review of a decision, or to appeal against it)
Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit
CAAFLU provide culturally safe, high quality and responsive free legal advice, casework, and representation in the areas of Domestic Violence Orders, Victims of Crime Compensation, Child Protection and Family Law to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim-survivors of domestic, family, and sexual violence in the Central Australian and Barkly regions, including remote. In addition, CAAFLU provides community legal education, early intervention and prevention, advocacy, non-legal client supports and referrals. Call 1800 088 884.
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Central Australian Women’s Legal Service
CAWLS provide high quality, responsive and culturally appropriate legal advice, casework and representation, community legal education, and advocacy in the areas of civil (including housing and tenancy) and family law to women living in the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek region. CAWLS are able to provide free legal advice to all women, or persons identifying as women, regardless of their circumstances. Call 1800 648 055.
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Darwin Community Legal Service
Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS) provides a range of free services, including Seniors' Rights Services, General Legal Service (‘GLS’), the NT Tenants’ Advice Service ('TAS'), Disability Rights Service and Queer Legal Service.
GLS focuses on social security, credit and debt, consumer law, employment law, adult guardianship and many others.TAS focuses on initial advice and assistance for all NT tenants including public and private tenancies, and problems with maintenance, rent increases, bonds, eviction and many others. Appointments are available most weekdays except public holidays, in-person, by phone or conferencing. Information on free legal advice sessions here. Call 1800 812 953.
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Domestic Violence Legal Service
DVLS provide free and confidential service for victims and survivors or those at risk of domestic and family violence in the Greater Darwin region, including advice on applying for a domestic violence order, varying or revoking an existing domestic violence order, and referrals to support services and other legal services. Call 1800 019 343.
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Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service
Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service (KWILS) is a specialist legal service that provides high quality, responsive and culturally appropriate legal advice, casework and representation, community legal education, and advocacy in the areas of domestic violence, child protection, and family and civil law to all women and gender diverse people in Katherine and the Big Rivers Region. KWILS provides free initial legal advice to all women and gender diverse people, regardless of their circumstances. Call 1800 620 108.
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Law Society of NT
Law Society of NT provides an online listing of all current Northern Territory legal practitioners to help you find a qualified lawyer suitable for your needs. You will need to pay fees for the lawyer.
You may be able to access a 30 minute consultation with a solicitor for $99.00 (including GST) through the First Interview Scheme. Call (08) 8981 5104.
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NT Legal Aid
NT Legal Aid provides legal services to disadvantaged clients across the Northern Territory in most areas of criminal, family and civil law.
The Legal Aid Helpline is 1800 019 343 and open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 4.30pm.
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North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency
NAAJA provide a legal information, advice and representation in criminal and family law matters, in addition to civil law including health care complaints, housing and tenancy, consumer matters, discrimination and human rights for Aboriginal people in the NT. NAAJA provides services in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. Call 1800 898 251.
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Top End Women’s Legal Services
TEWLS provide high quality, holistic, trauma-informed and culturally secure legal advice, casework and representation, community legal education, and advocacy to women living in the Top End region. Our areas of legal practice include family law, migration law, and civil law (domestic, family and sexual violence, victims of crime compensation, tenancy, credit and debt, discrimination, complaints, superannuation and estates, and employment law).
TEWLS can provide free legal advice to all women, or persons identifying as women, regardless of their circumstances. Call 1800 234 441.
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Other Organisations That May Help
AskIzzy
AskIzzy is a website that connects people in need of housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and more.
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NT Anti-Discrimination Commission
NT Anti-Discrimination Commission aims to eliminate discrimination from happening by raising awareness about individual’s rights and responsibilities under the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Act. The Anti-Discrimination Commission has three main roles: Public education and training, handling complaints and community engagement. Call 1800 813 846.
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Community Justice Centre
The Community Justice Centre is a Northern Territory Government service that offers free mediation services to help people reach an agreement on a wide range of disputes. Call 1800 000 473.
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NT Community
NT Community is a free online directory for community members to access community services in the NT.
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NT Consumer Affairs
The main functions of Consumer Affairs are associated with consumer protection within the purchase of goods and services, residential tenancies and residential building disputes. Call 1800 019 319.
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NT Health and Community Services Complaints Commission
NT Health and Community Services Complaints Commission provides assistance to resolve complaints about health, disability and aged care services and make recommendations to improve the quality of these services. Call 1800 004 474.
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Local Court of the NT
The Local Court deals with criminal and civil matters involving debts, damages or other actions in excess of $25,000 to a maximum of $250, 000. If a party fails to comply with a final NTCAT order, the order can be registered and enforced by the Local Court.
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NT Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee
The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee provides guardianship, estate administration, trust management and Will making services to the Northern Territory community. Call 1800 810 979
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ShelterMe
ShelterMe is the Northern Territory directory for essential services for those at risk or experiencing homelessness.
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Supreme Court of the NT
The Supreme Court is the highest Court in the Northern Territory and deals with civil and criminal matters as well as appeals.
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