Invercargill is Southland's court centre. The Invercargill (Waihōpai) District Court at 35 Don Street is where almost every Southland criminal charge starts — first appearances, bail, pleas and sentencing — with the Family Court handling separation, care of children, property and protection orders. The High Court at Invercargill, in the same building, hears jury trials for the most serious (category 4) offences and serious category 3 cases. Gore serves its own district. Free help is close: the Southland Community Law Centre advises people who cannot afford a lawyer, the Public Defence Service and legal-aid lawyers provide funded defence, a duty lawyer covers first appearances, and the Police Detention Legal Assistance scheme provides a free lawyer by phone, any hour, to anyone detained.
Criminal Law in Invercargill
Southland charges start at the Invercargill District Court at 35 Don Street — first appearance, bail, plea, sentencing — with the most serious cases heard by the High Court in the same building, and police prosecutions giving way to the Crown Solicitor for serious matters. National law applies: the Crimes Act 1961 and the Criminal Procedure Act 2011's categories.
The Public Defence Service and legal-aid lawyers cover funded defence, a duty lawyer helps at first appearances, and the free Police Detention Legal Assistance phone lawyer is available at any hour in custody. Before any interview or plea, the free line gives the plain-English version — process, penalties, exits. Speak to a lawyer about a criminal law matter → Family Law in Invercargill
Separation, care of children, relationship property and protection orders for Southland run through the Family Court at Invercargill. 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.
The Southland Community Law Centre 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 → Employment Law in Invercargill
Southland's farming, meat-processing and manufacturing employers generate steady employment disputes — dismissals, seasonal-work issues, redundancies, unpaid wages. The path is national: a personal grievance raised within 90 days, free mediation, then the Employment Relations Authority. Every worker holds the core rights — minimum wage, holiday pay, written agreements, protection from unjustified dismissal — whatever the industry.
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 → Drink Driving & Traffic in Invercargill
Drink-driving charges from Invercargill and Southland's long straight roads are heard at the local District Court. National limits: 250 micrograms of breath alcohol for drivers 20 and over, zero under 20, infringement to 400 micrograms, criminal above it — mandatory minimum 6-month disqualification on conviction, and the immediate 28-day roadside suspension over 650.
Where there's no bus to fall back on, the disqualification is the real sentence. The free line explains where your reading lands and whether a limited "work" licence is realistic — before the first court date. Speak to a lawyer about a drink driving & traffic matter → Invercargill Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Invercargill are:
Invercargill (Waihōpai) District Court
35 Don Street — where almost every Southland criminal charge starts, with Family Court jurisdiction for separation, care of children, property and protection orders.
High Court at Invercargill
Same building — jury trials for the most serious (category 4) offences and serious category 3 cases.
Gore District Court
Serving eastern Southland — your charge sheet or summons names the venue for your matter.
What to Do Right Now
1
Check which court your paperwork names — Southland matters are listed at Invercargill or Gore, and the venue governs.
2
Record what happened while it is fresh — dates, times, readings, names — and keep every document together.
3
Avoid irreversible moves — guessed pleas, contact with complainants, social-media commentary.
4
Call 0800 461 100 free, any hour, for plain-English legal information — and book a NZ$295 (GST inclusive) consultation with a New Zealand lawyer right on the call if you want one.
Invercargill Legal Questions
Which court hears my Southland matter?
Your charge sheet or summons names it — the Invercargill (Waihōpai) District Court at 35 Don Street for almost everything, Gore for its district, with the High Court at Invercargill (same building) for the most serious criminal cases.
Can I get free legal help in Invercargill?
Yes — Legal Hotline's line is free, 24/7, on 0800 461 100. The Southland Community Law Centre advises people who cannot afford a lawyer, the Public Defence Service and duty lawyers cover funded defence and first appearances, and the Police Detention Legal Assistance scheme provides a free phone lawyer to anyone detained, any hour.
How do I get a Southland 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 an Invercargill 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. Southland lawyers can join through our For Lawyers page.