What is court appointed pro bono legal assistance?

The Uniform Civil Procedure Rules enable the court to refer litigants to a lawyer. The terms of the referral might ask the lawyer to provide you with legal advice, or to represent you at a hearing, or both.

Pro bono legal assistance (under Div 9, Pt 7 of the UCPR) is an option available to the court to help in the administration of justice. It is not a legal right. You should not view the Supreme Court's decision to grant you a referral for legal assistance as an indication that you have won your legal proceedings.

Can anyone apply?

Anyone can apply for legal assistance under Div 9, Pt 7 of the UCPR, but if you have obtained this type of assistance within the last three years, a judge must be satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances that justify another referral. This restriction on the provision of assistance is set out in Rule 7.36(2)(2A) of the UCPR.

How do I apply?

You must file a notice of motion seeking a referral for legal assistance under Pt 7,  Division 9 of the UCPR. A filing fee is payable on the notice of motion. If you are unable to pay this fee, you may apply to have it waived, postponed or remitted. You may also file a supporting affidavit (UCPR form 40) outlining how you have been unable to obtain legal advice or representation through any other means (for example, you're ineligible for Legal Aid, or the Bar Association's or Law Society's pro bono schemes).

Your application will then be given a hearing date and a judge will determine your application and the extent of the assistance you should receive (that is, whether the referral will be for legal advice, representation, or both).

What happens once the Court grants me a referral for legal assistance?

If a judge decides you should receive legal assistance, his or her Honour will notify the Registrar of this determination. The Registrar will refer the matter to the NSW Bar Association for management under its Legal Assistance Referral Scheme Guidelines.

A representative from the Bar Association will contact you and ask you to complete this application form, which asks you to provide your contact details, general details about your dispute and upcoming listings, and basic financial information about your income and expenses. This form will help the Bar Association locate a lawyer with both the time and expertise required to help you so it is important that you complete as quickly and accurately as possible.

The Bar Association will contact you, and update the Court, once they have located a lawyer able to assist.

What happens if a lawyer willing or able to assist me cannot be found?

If a legal assistance cannot be found within 28 days of the date of the judge's referrral for legal assistance, the Registrar can order that your referral is terminated under rule 7.36(4A) of the UCPR. If this happens, and you still need pro bono assistance, you would have to file a notice of motion (UCPR form 20) seeking a new order for a referral for legal assistance. A judge can only make another order for legal assistance if he or she feels exceptional circumstances justify this second referral. You would need to prepare an affidavit (UCPR form 40) explaining why you feel another referral is justified.

What happens if my pro bono lawyer withdraws from my case?

If your lawyer stops providing legal assistance to you, unless the court says otherwise, your referral for legal assistance is terminated on the date your lawyer withdrew from your case. If this happens, and you still need pro bono assistance, you would have to file a notice of motion (UCPR form 20) seeking a new order for a referral for legal assistance. A judge can only make another order for legal assistance if he or she feels exceptional circumstances justify this second referral. You would need to prepare an affidavit (UCPR form 40) explaining why you feel another referral is justified.