The Government has decided to undertake a review of the legal aid system in 2025. The Ministry of Justice has released a discussion document which is open for public submissions from 11 June to 23 July 2025.
The objective of the review is to ensure the legal aid scheme is efficient and sustainable while also promoting access to justice.
The legal aid scheme provides publicly funded legal advice and representation for people who require these services but could not otherwise afford a lawyer. This helps to ensure that people are not denied justice due to their financial means.
Initial legal support is available through targeted services for people first encountering a legal issue, such as the duty lawyer representing defendants at their first appearance, and grants for ongoing advice and representation throughout a legal matter.
The legal aid scheme is under pressure, and balancing access to justice against responsible government spending proves an ongoing challenge. Legal aid spending has increased significantly in recent years and is expected to continue to do so.
Legal aid providers are also experiencing increased workloads across the profession that have been exacerbated in regions with fewer providers.
Pressures on the scheme reflect what is happening in the courts, such as the increasing volume of court cases, the cost for third party and specialist reports, and changes to legal aid eligibility and remuneration in recent years.
The Minister of Justice has agreed that the review will cover:
A discussion document has been developed to inform the review. It outlines the scope and objectives for the review and sets out the current settings for legal aid, the main challenges facing the scheme, and proposals identified to address them.
The discussion document is available for public consultation from 11 June to 23 July 2025 and is available here: Triennial Review of Legal Aid Discussion Document. [PDF, 489 KB]
You can make a submission using the survey using the Ministry’s Citizen Space consultation hub(external link) or by mailing your submission to:
Legal Aid Review
Ministry of Justice – National Office
SX 10088
Wellington
In making a submission to the Ministry, please note that we are subject to both the Privacy Act 2020 and the Official Information Act 1982. There is more information on the legal aid public consultation privacy information page.
Ministry officials will also meet with organisations representing the legal profession and those experiencing legal problems to understand their views on key issues within the legal aid scheme and options for addressing them. Officials will also meet with the judiciary.
Themes and proposals from the engagement and consultation will inform advice to Ministers about potential changes to the scheme to be provided in late 2025.
Triennial review of legal aid discussion document [PDF, 489 KB]
Ministerial media release: Reviewing legal aid to ensure access to justice(external link)
Legal Services Act 2011(external link)
Legal Services Regulations 2011(external link)
Legal Services (Quality Assurance) Regulations 2011(external link)
If you would like to contact us about the legal aid review, please email us at legalaidreview@justice.govt.nz
This page was last updated: