Legal help in the Community
Nau mai Community Law Canterbury Te Ture Whānui o Waitaha
Community Law Canterbury is a not-for-profit organisation that works to reduce and remove barriers to the law. We provide accessible, quality legal help to people in Canterbury and the West Coast, who face barriers in accessing justice. Community Law Canterbury offers a general legal advice service, information services, specialist advice, and education services.
🎄CHRISTMAS HOURS 🎄
Community Law will close on Friday 19 December and will reopen on Monday 12 January 2026 at 9am.
We wish you a Meri Kirihimete and a joyous New Year!
INFORMATION FOR THE HOLIDAY PERIOD
For information about Canterbury’s Courts & Tribunals hours during the holiday period please
FAMILY COURT:
From 25 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 a National E- Duty Judge will be rostered on call each day (except Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays) to deal with urgent applications. People wanting to make an urgent application should contact the duty officer prior to 11am or phone 027 216 1092.
Christchurch Family Court will manage urgent applications for the Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast region over this period. Phone number – 027 216 1092.
For urgent family matters you can contact:
Portia Law on support@portia.law and someone will respond ASAP
Kia ora! Do you need legal help?
Coming into a session is the fastest way to receive advice from us. Please be aware that our services are not first in, first served, instead we prioritise by legal urgency.
We are able to advise over the phone or e-mail if you are unwell or self-isolating or unable to come into our clinic.
If you can’t come into a session and your request is urgent, please call our reception on 0508 CANLAW. Otherwise please click the link below.
Our Funders
Community Law Canterbury is proud to continue supporting Kiwis as a Living Wage Employer.
The Living Wage is the hourly wage a worker in New Zealand needs, to pay for the necessities of life and participate as an active citizen in the community.
