Aboriginal Legal Service of WA

The Aboriginal Legal Service of WA helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia with criminal law, family law care and protection matters, and civil and human rights law. It is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation and a not-for-profit. Its board is made up of Aboriginal directors.

Lawyers and Aboriginal court officers act for clients in the Magistrates Court, Children's Court, District Court and Supreme Court. They also visit clients in prisons and Banksia Hill Detention Centre.

The service also runs community legal education, a bail support service and a 24/7 custody notification service. It started in the late 1960s. Free call from anywhere in WA on 1800 019 900.

The head office is in Perth. It is currently at 17A Aberdeen Street while the main building is rebuilt after a fire. Other offices are in Albany, Broome, Bunbury, Carnarvon, Derby, Geraldton, Halls Creek, Kalgoorlie, Kununurra, Northam and South Hedland. The civil team is Perth based and visits regional areas, and the service covers all of Western Australia.

The main work is criminal law, family law in care and protection matters, and civil and human rights law. Criminal lawyers handle bail, sentencing, trials and appeals in all WA courts. The civil unit deals with coronial inquests, racial discrimination, police accountability, prisoners' rights and false imprisonment. Culturally secure advice is a focus, and clients with complex needs get priority.