21 December 2020
After a challenging year, our staff will be taking a short break over Christmas and New Year to rest and recharge. We look forward to coming back in 2021 with renewed energy to serve our community and achieve justice for our mob.
All ALS offices will be closed from 5pm on Thursday 24 December 2020. The following offices will reopen from 9am on Monday 4 January 2021:
- Newcastle
- Lismore
- Redfern
- Wollongong
- Parramatta
(Visit our office locations webpage to find addresses and phone numbers for each of our offices.)
From Monday 4 January, our support hotlines will also be attended as usual (during business hours – 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW and the ACT can call the following numbers toll-free:
- 1800-765-767 for help with criminal law, police and court matters
- 1800-733-233 for help with family law, and children’s care and protection matters
All offices will be open and back to business as usual from 9am on Monday 11 January.
The Custody Notification Service (used by police to notify us whenever an Aboriginal person is taken into custody in NSW or the ACT) will remain open and running throughout the holidays. Additionally, Legal Aid NSW’s Duty Lawyer Scheme will continue to provide representation for people with bail hearings over the Christmas and New Year period.
We thank our clients and community for persevering through this busy and unpredictable year. Thank you also to our supporters and partners, whose contributions are so vital to our work.
Stay safe and strong over the holidays!
If you would like legal or emotional support between 24 December and 4 January, we suggest contacting one of the following:
