Family Law Early Intervention Unit
Early Intervention Unit
Resolving family law issues before they get serious
Who we are
The Legal Aid NSW Family Law Early Intervention Unit (EIU) is a specialist family law service. We can help you to sort out your family law issues as early as possible before they become serious. Seeing an early intervention lawyer may help you better understand the choices you have. Sometimes you can make an agreement with the other people involved and sort things out quickly and simply.
We are separate from other Legal Aid NSW family lawyers. This means we can provide assistance even if you are in dispute with someone who is receiving help from another Legal Aid NSW office. If you need ongoing legal assistance, we can help you apply for a grant of legal aid in order to see a private lawyer.
Who we help
We can help whether you are a mum, dad, grandparent or other family member. When you meet with us you can bring a person you trust such as a counsellor or close friend or family member.
What we can help you with
■ Problems seeing your children.
■ Arrangements to look after children within the family.
■ Property problems after separation.
■ Child support.
■ Problems with the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) (once called FaCS or DOCS).
We can assist you to apply for a grant of legal aid and connect you with other legal aid lawyers, court duty lawyers, private practitioners, or family mediation services.
Services we provide
■ Legal advice and information.
■ Finding a family mediation service.
■ Finding a lawyer to represent you in an ongoing case if you are eligible for legal aid.
■ Helping you to apply for a grant of legal aid.
■ Referring you to court duty services.
■ Writing a letter, or contacting an agency, such as a government department, on your behalf.
To find out about your nearest EIU service, call or make an appointment on 1800 551 589. In some cases, we can also arrange to provide you with advice by telephone.
Help at court
We have duty lawyers at Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) locations to help at court if you don’t have a lawyer. In some cases we can assist you to prepare urgent applications for court, where a child is at risk of harm.
Help around NSW
We have lawyers in more than 40 locations in Sydney and around NSW to provide family law advice and assistance.
Family Relationship Centres
We work in partnership with a number of Family Relationship Centres in Sydney and greater New South Wales, to provide advice and assistance to those considering and/or working through a mediation process.
Help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We provide assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in all our outreach locations. We also provide assistance at some specific Aboriginal services. To find out about the nearest service to you call 1800 551 589.
Help if English is not your first language
We provide family law advice services at a number of locations for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We can book you an interpreter when you make an appointment.
You can contact the Family Law Early Intervention Unit for more information about our services. Call us on 1800 551 589 or email us at eiuadminstaff@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.
March 2022