Geographical area

Legal Aid System in Australia

01.03.2014

This page includes legislation, reports, and other documents that are relevant to understanding the legal aid system in Australia.

Articles, papers and reports about Australia from the International Legal Aid Group (ILAG)

“Police Powers: Your Rights in Victoria” was produced by Victoria Legal Aid as a general guide to inform citizens of how the police can permissibly behave during arrests, searches, and detentions.

“General Guidelines between the Australian Federal Police and the Law Council Of Australia as to the Execution of Search Warrants on Lawyers' Premises, Law Societies and Like Institutions in Circumstances where a Claim of Legal Professional Privilege is Made” outlines in detail the procedure governing police searches. It also points to various sections of The Crimes Act 1914 governing police behavior and points to statutory provisions dealing with the matter of legal professional privilege. (Note to Marion: This document was written in 1997 and may not reflect current Australian laws. Additionally, it pertains more to searches than police station advice.)

The “Code of Practice for CRIME (Custody, Rights, Investigation, Management and Evidence” is the 184-page official code of the New South Wales Police Force on procedures associated with arrest, detention, and investigation. In outlining permissible procedures, the Code refers extensively to the obligations outlined in the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act of 2002. The code specifically addresses the police’s role vis à vis a legal representative’s role at the police station (see pages. 72-74). It was last updated January 2012.

Caxton Legal Centre’s “Police Powers: Your Rights, A guide to your rights when dealing with the police” is a 64-page guide providing general information about detainee’s rights in Queensland as of November 2009. One chapter of the guide deals with permissible police behavior in the police station setting (see pages 37-44).

  • Geographical area: Australia