Children’s Legal Service

Legal Aid NSW specialist service.

Who we are

The Children’s Legal Service (CLS) of Legal Aid NSW advises and represents children and young people under 18 involved in criminal cases and Apprehended Violence Order applications in the Children’s Courts.

Our aim is to ensure that children and young people have access to professional, face-to-face or telephone based legal advice at any stage of their legal proceedings.

Who we can help

If you're under 18 and need advice about a criminal law problem, or think you might be in trouble with the law, we can help.

How we can help

Our Youth Hotline (1800 10 18 10) provides legal advice and information to young people under 18, and operates 9am to midnight weekdays, with a 24-hour service from Friday 9am to Sunday midnight and also on public holidays.

For more information, see Youth Hotline.

The Children’s Legal Service has duty lawyers at the following courts.

Broadmeadow Children’s Court: 19-23 Lambton Road – (02) 4915 5200
Campbelltown Children’s Court: Corner of Railway Street and Queen Street – 1300 679 272
Cessnock Children’s Court: 223 Maitland Road – 1300 679 272
East Maitland Children’s Court: 1 John Street – (02) 4931 6333
Goulburn Children’s Court: Montague Street – (02) 4824 0300
Nowra Court House: 88 Plunkett Street – 1300 679 272
Parramatta Children’s Court: 2 George Street – (02) 8688 1888
Port Kembla Children’s Court: Darcy Road – (02) 4228 8299
Raymond Terrace Children’s Court: William Street – 1300 679 272
Singleton Children’s Court: 39 Elizabeth Street – 1300 679 272
Surry Hills Children’s Court: 66-78 Albion Street – (02) 8667 2100
Sutherland Court House: Corner of Flora Street and Belmont Street – 1300 679 272
Woy Woy Court House: 78-80 Blackwall Road – 1300 679 272
Wyong Children’s Court: Corner of Hely Street and Anzac Avenue – 1300 679 272

For matters in the Local Court in NSW, see the duty lawyer at the court.

Our lawyers visit youth justice centres and give free advice and assistance to young people in custody.

We can also help with bail applications and appeals.

We represent children and young people under 18 who have been charged with a criminal offence in the Children’s Court.

We also represent young people when they are a defendant in Apprehended Domestic Violence proceedings, even where there are no associated charges.

When a young person is going to court, they should make sure to ask to see the duty solicitor before going into the court room.

Contact us
Area	Contact details	Courts
Sydney	Call (02) 9219 5120	Surry Hills Children’s Court
Parramatta	Call (02) 9068 1790	Parramatta Children’s Court Woy Woy Children’s Court
Campbelltown	Call (02) 4628 2922	Campbelltown Children’s Court
Sutherland	Call (02) 9521 3733	Sutherland Children’s Court Port Kembla Children’s Court Nowra Children’s Court Goulburn Children’s Court
Newcastle	Call (02) 4929 5482	Wyong Children’s Court Broadmeadow Children’s Court Raymond Terrace Children’s Court Singleton Children’s Court East Maitland Children’s Court Cessnock Children’s Court

The main office of the CLS is located at:

Parramatta Justice Precinct
Level 1, 160 Marsden Street
Parramatta NSW 2150

Lawyers at a number of regional offices also represent children and young people in Children’s Courts at various locations throughout the state. These include: Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Lismore, Orange, Tamworth, Wagga, Albury, Port Macquarie and other courts serviced by those offices.

At other Children’s Courts in New South Wales, Legal Aid NSW pays private lawyers to advise and represent children and young people.

Legal Aid NSW resources