Free Legal Information for Canterbury.

Is there a free legal hotline in Canterbury I can call right now?

Yes — the Legal Hotline is a free legal-information line, live now on 0800 461 100, where an AI legal assistant gives you clear information on New Zealand law any hour, with no income test, and you can ask as many questions as you like. It's legal information, not legal advice, and it won't create a lawyer-client relationship. Other Canterbury resources can also help: Community Law Canterbury (0508 CANLAW) gives free advice to people facing barriers; the Citizens Advice Bureau can point you in the right direction; and the duty lawyer at the Christchurch District Court helps people who've been charged. A paid consultation with a New Zealand lawyer can be booked right on the call if you want one.

I was just arrested in Christchurch. What should I do?

Stay calm, give police your name and details if required, and say as little else as possible — then clearly tell them you want to speak to a lawyer and stop talking. In New Zealand you have the right to consult and instruct a lawyer without delay and the right to silence under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. If you're in custody, ask about the free Police Detention Legal Assistance (PDLA) line, which gives urgent advice. At your first appearance, the duty lawyer at the Christchurch District Court can help you for free and assist you to apply for legal aid. You can also call the Legal Hotline for free information on how the criminal process works — that's information, not legal advice.

What is the drink-driving limit in New Zealand?

For drivers aged 20 and over, the adult limit is 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, or 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. For drivers under 20, the limit is zero — even one drink can put you over. A breath reading between 251 and 400 micrograms generally means an infringement notice and demerit points; above 400 micrograms of breath (or 80 of blood) you face a criminal charge under the Land Transport Act 1998, heard in the Christchurch District Court, with possible disqualification, fines, or imprisonment. Refusing a breath or blood test is itself an offence. Call the Legal Hotline now for free information on how it works; a paid consultation with a lawyer can be booked right on the call if you want to defend the charge.

How do I sort out care of my children after a separation in Canterbury?

Parenting arrangements are governed by the Care of Children Act 2004, and the guiding principle is the welfare and best interests of the child. Many parents reach agreement through Family Dispute Resolution (mediation) before going anywhere near a courtroom; if that doesn't work, you can apply to the Family Court, which sits within the Christchurch District Court complex, for a parenting order. Relationship property is dealt with separately under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976. Call the Legal Hotline now for free legal information on how care-of-children and Family Court processes work — that's information, not advice on your case. A paid consultation with a family lawyer can be booked right on the call if you want representation.

I think I was unfairly dismissed from my job in Canterbury. What can I do?

Under the Employment Relations Act 2000 you can raise a personal grievance if you've been unjustifiably dismissed or disadvantaged — but you generally must raise it with your employer within 90 days of the problem, so act quickly. The first step is usually to raise it in writing and try to resolve it directly or through free mediation provided by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. If that fails, the dispute can go to the Employment Relations Authority and then the Employment Court. Call the Legal Hotline now for free information on how the personal-grievance process and the 90-day deadline work; a paid consultation with an employment lawyer can be booked right on the call if you need one.

Can I sue someone for an injury in New Zealand?

Usually not for compensation. New Zealand's accident compensation scheme, under the Accident Compensation Act 2001, provides no-fault cover for personal injury through ACC — and in exchange you generally cannot sue for compensatory damages over a personal injury, which is a major difference from countries like Australia, the UK, or the US. There are limited exceptions (for example, exemplary damages in rare cases). For other civil disputes — money owed, contracts, property — you generally have six years to act under the Limitation Act 2010. Call the Legal Hotline now for free information on how ACC and civil claims work in New Zealand; a paid consultation with a lawyer can be booked right on the call if you need one.

Where is the court in Canterbury, and which court hears my case?

The main courthouse is the Christchurch District Court, in the Justice & Emergency Services Precinct at 20 Lichfield Street in central Christchurch — a single modern complex that houses the District Court, High Court, Family Court, Youth Court, and several tribunals. The District Court hears most criminal charges and civil claims up to $350,000; the most serious crimes and the largest civil cases go to the High Court; family matters go to the Family Court; smaller money claims can go to the Disputes Tribunal; and renting disputes go to the Tenancy Tribunal. Timaru and Ashburton are also served by the court network. Call the Legal Hotline for free information on which court or tribunal handles your situation.

I have a problem with Immigration New Zealand. Can the Legal Hotline help?

Immigration is national law under the Immigration Act 2009, administered by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), with appeals and many decisions reviewed by the Immigration & Protection Tribunal — the rules are the same everywhere in the country, including Canterbury. Call the Legal Hotline now for clear legal information on visas, residence, deportation, and refugee or protection claims — that's information, not legal advice on your case. Community Law Canterbury and licensed immigration advisers or immigration lawyers can also help. A paid consultation with a New Zealand lawyer can be booked right on the call if you want representation.

How is the Legal Hotline different from a lawyer or legal aid?

We're a fast first step, not a law firm. Our AI legal assistant gives you general legal information about New Zealand law instantly when you call — but it does not give legal advice on your specific case, is not a substitute for a licensed lawyer, and using it won't create a lawyer-client relationship. We're also not legal aid. Legal aid and Community Law Canterbury offer help to people who qualify but are income-tested and run mostly in business hours. A separate paid service — booking a NZ$295 consultation with a New Zealand lawyer — is available right on the call. Either way, you get clear legal information fast, any hour, with no income test and as many questions as you like.

Does New Zealand law differ between Canterbury and the rest of the country?

No. New Zealand has one national legal system — there are no states or provinces, and Parliament in Wellington makes a single set of laws that applies the same way across the whole country. The Crimes Act, the Land Transport Act, the Care of Children Act, the Employment Relations Act and the rest apply identically in Christchurch, Auckland, or anywhere else. What changes locally is practical: which courthouse you attend (the Christchurch District Court for most Canterbury matters), which Community Law Centre serves you, and local court and police practice. The Legal Hotline's AI assistant is trained on New Zealand law, so the information reflects how things actually work in Canterbury.

How do I find or afford a lawyer in Canterbury?

Start with the free and low-cost options. For criminal charges, the duty lawyer at the Christchurch District Court can help on your first day and you can apply for legal aid if you qualify financially. For family, employment, tenancy, and other civil problems, Community Law Canterbury (0508 CANLAW) and the Citizens Advice Bureau give free help, and legal aid may cover a private lawyer if your case and income qualify. To choose a lawyer for your specific matter, use the New Zealand Law Society's 'Find a Lawyer' directory. The Legal Hotline adds instant, free legal information with no income test — call any time and ask as many questions as you like.