ACC Legal Aid Information

We understand that sometimes dealing with ACC can be stressful.

Many people contact us when they are injured, unwell, unable to work, under financial pressure, or feeling unsure about what to do next. If that is where you are at right now, we are sorry you are going through this.

Before you submit an ACC enquiry to Gibson Sheat, we want to help you work out whether we are the right people to contact.

If you are eligible, or may be eligible, for legal aid it may be more cost effective for you to contact a legal aid provider before engaging Gibson Sheat, as we cannot provide legal aid services.

This page explains what legal aid is, how to check whether you may qualify, and where you can go for legal aid or free support to navigate your ACC issues.

Legal aid is government funding that helps people pay for legal advice or representation if they cannot afford to fully fund a lawyer themselves.  Depending on your financial situation you may have to repay legal aid, but a legal aid lawyer will advise you about this.

For most ACC matters, legal aid is available. A legal aid provider can talk to you about whether you or your issue is eligible. Providers can apply for legal aid on your behalf.

Legal aid eligibility can depend on several things, including:

• your income;

• whether you have a partner;

• how many dependants you have;

• your assets;

• your debts;

• the type of legal issue you need help with;

• whether your matter has merit; and

• whether legal aid is available for the type of help you need.

The Ministry of Justice provides an income eligibility guide that may help you understand whether legal aid could apply to your situation.

Gibson Sheat cannot assess or confirm whether you are eligible for legal aid. You will need to speak with Legal Aid Services or a legal aid provider.

If you are unsure whether you can afford private legal advice, or you think legal aid may apply to you, we recommend contacting a legal aid provider before submitting an enquiry to Gibson Sheat.

You may be eligible if

• you receive a benefit or income support; or

• you are on a low income; and

• you need representation for an ACC review or hearing.

You can search on the Ministry of Justice website to search for legal aid lawyers.

If you need help understanding ACC, your entitlements, ACC letters, review options, or what steps to take next, you may also wish to contact Way Finders or Community Law.
Way Finders provides free, independent support for people dealing with ACC issues specifically.

They can help you understand and navigate the ACC process. They do not represent people in hearings, but they may be a helpful first step if you need guidance and are not sure what to do. 

Community Law also provides free legal advice.  You can look on their website to identify when they have drop-in sessions in your area.  There is also a helpful resource on the Community Law website which covers Accident Compensation.  

If you are looking for general information about your claim, your entitlements, a decision letter, review rights, timeframes, or what ACC needs from you, you should contact ACC directly.

This may be helpful if:

• you do not yet have a decision from ACC;

• you are unsure what ACC has decided;

• you need a copy of a decision letter;

• you need to understand the next step in the ACC process;

• you need information about review timeframes; or

• you are looking for general information rather than legal advice.

Please take a moment to consider the following before submitting our enquiry form:

• If you are eligible or may be eligible for legal aid, please contact a legal aid provider first.

• If you need free guidance about ACC, please contact Way Finders or Community Law.

• If you need advice about the status of your case and what is needed from you, please contact ACC direct.