The Children's Legal Service is a specialist unit of Legal Aid NSW.
We help children and young people under 18 who are involved in criminal cases in the Children’s Courts.
Our aim is to make sure that children and young people can get professional, free face-to-face or telephone legal advice and representation at any stage of their court case.
We have lawyers (called duty lawyers) at these Children’s Courts:
- Broadmeadow Children’s Court:
19-23 Lambton Road - Campbelltown Children's Court:
Corner Railway and Queen Street - Cessnock Children's Court:
223 Maitland Rd - East Maitland Children's Court:
1 John St - Illawarra Children's Court:
Darcy Road, Port Kembla - Nowra Children's Court:
88 Plunkett Street - Parramatta Children's Court:
Corner George and O'Connell Street - Raymond Terrace Children's Court:
59 William Street - Singleton Children’s Court:
39 Elizabeth Street - Surry Hills Children’s Court:
66-78 Albion Street - Sutherland Children's Court:
Corner Flora and Belmont Street - Woy Woy Children’s Court:
78-80 Blackwall Road - Wyong Children’s Court:
Corner Hely Street & Anzac Avenue
At other Children’s Courts in New South Wales, Legal Aid NSW pays private lawyers to advise and represent children and young people.
The law says that young people have the right to get legal advice before they make a statement to police.
When a young person is going to court, they should ask to see the duty solicitor before they go into the court room.
Young people who need advice about a criminal law problem or think they might be in trouble with the law can call the Youth Hotline on 1800 10 18 10.
The Youth Hotline is free and open:
- weekdays from 9.00 am to midnight
- Friday to Sunday and public holidays—24 hours.
Our lawyers visit juvenile justice centres to help young people in custody. We can also help with bail applications and appeals.
We visit:
- Acmena (Grafton)
- Cobham (Werrington)
- Frank Baxter (Gosford)
- Orana (Dubbo)
- Reiby (Campbelltown)
- Riverina (Wagga Wagga)
If young people want to see a visiting lawyer, they should ask a worker to put their name on the list to see Legal Aid NSW.
Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) (ALS)
The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) gives free legal advice and legal representation. Call the ALS on 1800 765 767 during working hours. Anyone who is under 18 and cannot contact the Aboriginal Legal Service can call the Legal Aid Youth Hotline on 1800 10 18 10.
Custody Notification Service
All Aboriginal people who are taken into police custody have a right to talk to a lawyer from the Aboriginal Legal Service. They can do this by calling the Custody Notification Service (CNS)— a legal advice and RUOK phone line for Aboriginal people in police custody.
All police stations have the number of the CNS which can be called 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre
Wirringa Baiya is a community legal centre for Aboriginal women, children and young people who live in NSW. They give free legal advice and representation if there is family violence. Call 9569 3847 or 1800 686 587 (outside Sydney).
To contact the Children's Legal Service, call the following Legal Aid NSW offices:
| Sydney Surry Hills Children’s Court Phone: 02 9219 5120 | Parramatta Parramatta Children’s Court Phone: 02 9066 6000 | Campbelltown Campbelltown Children's Court Phone: 02 4628 2922 | Wollongong Sutherland, Port Kembla and Nowra Children’s Courts Phone: 02 4228 8229 | Newcastle Broadmeadow, Raymond Terrace Singleton, Wyong, Cessnock, East Maitland and Woy Woy Children’s Courts Phone: 02 4929 5482 |
Where can I get more help?
| Organisation | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Inner City Legal Centre (Kings Cross) | Phone: 1800 244 481 |
| Western SydneyCommunity Legal Centre | Phone: 8833 0911 |
| Marrickville Legal Centre | Phone: 9559 2899 |
| Youth Law Australia | Phone: 1800 950 570 |
| Shopfront Youth Legal Centre (Darlinghurst) | Phone: 9322 4808 |
| Youth workers | Call your local council. |
| Community LegalCentres | Phone: 1800 10 18 10 Between 9am to 5pm |
| The Law Society of NSW | Phone: 9926 0300 |
| Alcohol and Drug Information Service | Phone: 1800 250 015 |
September 2023