One Double Five Community Law Centre

Community law centres provide different sorts of services to those of conventional law firms. They provide free legal advice to communities with unmet legal need, especially those unable to pay for legal services. This may involve legal representation.

Section 85 of the Legal Services Act 2000 sets out the functions of community law centres. Community law centres are all individually managed, usually as incorporated societies or charitable trusts. Funding can come from a variety or sources, but mainly from the New Zealand Law Society Special Fund via the Legal Services Agency.

The Legal Services Agency has a role in setting up community law centres. It may investigate the need for a community law centre to service a particular community, and if one is needed it may help with advice and establishment funding

Law-related education and information, by funding, staffing or running programmes