Legal Aid NT says it will cut critical legal services in 2025 due to funding shortfall
ABCA leading Northern Territory legal service's proposal to dramatically cut back critical services from next year has raised concerns vulnerable adults will have no choice but to represent themselves in court. In a letter addressed to key stakeholders on September 27, seen by the ABC, Legal Aid NT's former acting director Fiona Hussin said the body would have to scale back services from January 1 due to insufficient funding, following meetings with the NT government. Criminal lawyers fear cuts will have 'devastating effect' Legal Aid NT has come under sustained pressure in recent months due to "ongoing instability" at the territory's top Aboriginal legal service, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency. Instead, she said in a statement: "NT Legal Aid continues to receive funding from the Commonwealth and Northern Territory governments". "The issues raised are related to the Northern Territory government's funding to the NT Legal Aid Commission," the spokesperson said.
History of this topic
Funding crisis at Legal Aid NT threatens to undermine territory's justice system
ABC
Peak legal bodies warn proposed Legal Aid NT service cuts will have dire impact on NT justice system
ABC
Legal Aid NT says some defendants will face Alice Springs court unrepresented amid lawyer shortage
ABC
NT defence lawyers and prosecutors warn Territory legal services severely underfunded
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