The Aboriginal Legal Service
Free legal help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW: at the police station, at court, and through a matter.
The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) provides free legal representation and advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in criminal matters, at every stage from police custody to sentence and appeal. Police must notify the ALS when an Aboriginal person is taken into custody. Ask for the ALS by name at the station, at court, and on the phone.
- Save the ALS Custody Notification number, 1800 765 767, and the main lineSection 2 of this guide
- At court, ask the court officer for the ALS duty solicitor before you registerSection 3 of this guide
- If you have a matter under way, contact the nearest ALS office this weekSection 3 of this guide
If you are not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the equivalent service is Legal Aid NSW, and the guide on Legal Aid and the duty solicitor is the one to read.
| Custody Notification Service | 1800 765 767, 24 hours; police must call it when an Aboriginal person is in custody |
| Who | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
| Cost | Free |
| At court | ALS duty solicitors at most Local Courts on list days |
| Ongoing | Representation through the matter, subject to capacity |
1What the ALS does
Start here
The ALS is a community-controlled organisation providing criminal, family and care and protection law services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across NSW and the ACT. In criminal matters it advises people in custody through the Custody Notification Service, represents people at court through duty solicitors and ongoing casework, and runs appeals. Its lawyers appear in the Local Court daily and know the Judges, the prosecutors and the courts.
2In custody
The Custody Notification Service
Under NSW law, police must contact the ALS Custody Notification Service whenever an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is detained, and a lawyer speaks to the person by phone before any interview. If you are in custody, tell police you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and ask them to call the ALS. Say nothing else until you have spoken to the lawyer.
Legal basis: Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Regulation 2016 (NSW) cl 37 (notification of the ALS). Requires principal review before release: confirm current clause reference. This is a summary for general understanding.
3At court and after
Representation
At most Local Courts on list days an ALS duty solicitor is available. Ask the court officer where they are, before you register, and see them before your matter is called. For ongoing representation, contact the nearest ALS office; representation depends on capacity and on the matter, and the ALS will tell you quickly whether it can act. If it cannot, Legal Aid NSW is the next call, and the ALS can refer you.
Save 1800 765 767 in your phone under ALS. If you have a court date, find the ALS office for that court today.
General information only, not legal advice. NSW-specific. Every matter turns on its own facts and laws can change. Reading this guide does not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and the lawyers who produced it.