Dunedin Lawyers
A student city with a historic courthouse produces the full range of legal trouble — often on a Saturday night. Legal Hotline's free line answers 24/7 on 0800 461 100 with plain-English legal information on New Zealand law, and a one-hour consultation with a New Zealand lawyer (NZ$295, GST inclusive) can be booked right on the call.
Free legal information. Speak to a real lawyer about your Dunedin matter, any time.
Criminal Law in Dunedin
Dunedin charges start at the District Court — first appearance, bail, most trials — with category 4 offences and serious jury trials at the High Court at Dunedin. National law applies: the Crimes Act 1961, the Criminal Procedure Act 2011's categories, the Bail Act 2000. For a student city, the exits matter especially: police diversion for first-time minor offending, and the discharge without conviction (s 106) where a conviction's consequences — a career, registration, travel — would be out of all proportion.Use the free layers: the duty lawyer at first appearance, criminal legal aid, the free Police Detention Legal Assistance phone lawyer in custody. And before any interview or plea, the free line — any hour, including the Saturday nights these things actually happen. Speak to a lawyer about a criminal law matter →
Family Law in Dunedin
Separation, care of children, relationship property and protection orders for Dunedin run through the Family Court at the District Court. The national rules decide: equal sharing after 3 years together, the child's welfare paramount, without-notice protection orders often within 24 to 48 hours — and the 12-month property clock after a divorce.Community Law Otago provides free advice for those who qualify, and Family Dispute Resolution mediation is the gateway for most parenting disputes. The free line explains what applies to your family, any hour. Speak to a lawyer about a family law matter →
Drink Driving & Traffic in Dunedin
Drink-driving charges from Dunedin and Otago's highways are heard at the local District Court. National limits: 250 micrograms of breath alcohol for drivers 20 and over — and zero for drivers under 20, the rule that catches students hardest: any alcohol at all is an offence. Over 400 micrograms is criminal, with a mandatory minimum 6-month disqualification on conviction and the immediate 28-day roadside suspension above 650.The free line explains where a reading lands, what the under-20 zero limit means in practice, and whether a limited "work" licence is realistic — before the first court date. Speak to a lawyer about a drink driving & traffic matter →
Employment Law in Dunedin
Dunedin employment disputes — dismissals, hospitality and seasonal-work issues, unpaid wages — follow the national path: a personal grievance raised with the employer within 90 days, free mediation, then the Employment Relations Authority. Casual and part-time workers hold the same core rights: minimum wage, holiday pay, written agreements, and protection from unjustified dismissal.The 90-day clock is strict. If something has happened at work, call the free line this week — raising a grievance costs nothing. Speak to a lawyer about a employment law matter →
Dunedin Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Dunedin are:
Dunedin District Court
The city's historic courthouse — first appearances, bail, most criminal trials, and Family Court jurisdiction for separation, care of children, property and protection orders.
High Court at Dunedin
Otago's most serious criminal cases (category 4 offences), serious jury trials and major civil claims.
Queenstown & Oamaru District Courts
Serving inland Otago's resorts and North Otago — the charge sheet or summons names the venue for your matter.
What to Do Right Now
Dunedin Legal Questions
Which court hears my Otago matter?
Your charge sheet or summons names it — Dunedin District Court for the city and much of the region, Queenstown for the inland resorts, Oamaru for North Otago. The most serious criminal cases go to the High Court at Dunedin.
Can I get free legal help in Dunedin?
Yes — Legal Hotline's line is free, 24/7, on 0800 461 100. Community Law Otago advises people who cannot afford a lawyer, the duty lawyer covers first appearances, legal aid funds serious defence, and the Police Detention Legal Assistance scheme provides a free phone lawyer to anyone detained, any hour.
How do I get a Dunedin lawyer quickly?
Call 0800 461 100, free, any hour — immediate legal information first, then a one-hour consultation with a New Zealand lawyer (NZ$295, GST inclusive) bookable right on the call.
Are you a Dunedin law firm?
No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm — the free line provides general legal information, not legal advice, and creates no lawyer-client relationship. When you want advice, we connect you with a New Zealand lawyer for a fixed-fee consultation. Otago lawyers can join through our For Lawyers page.
Need a lawyer in Dunedin now?
Call the free hotline any time. Tell us what's happened and we'll connect you with a lawyer for your Dunedin matter — fast.
Call now — 0800 461 100Free legal information. Not legal advice.