Duty Solicitor Handbook

The Duty Solicitor Handbook was previously made available as a public service for information purposes and is no longer available.

The Law Handbook covers a range of topics that were included in the Duty Solicitor Handbook, including arrest, your rights and bail, criminal matters in court, sentencing, drug offences, traffic offences, other common offences, and defences.

We also provide a range of brochures, factsheets and booklets that explain the law in plain English, available online via our Publications webpage.

If you are a member of the public looking for information about legal aid, see Applying for legal aid.

If you are a lawyer looking for information about legal aid, costs, forms or other resources for practitioners, see For lawyers. You may also be interested in the Bugmy Bar Book, a free, evidence-based resource for lawyers representing people in the criminal justice system with particular experiences or vulnerabilities. The National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book may also be of use to those in criminal law practice.

For information about the role and priorities of a duty lawyer, see Duty lawyer service.

Our Legal Helpline (1300 366 424) is staffed between 9:00am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday by lawyers who can provide free and confidential legal information and advice to anyone.