2 May 2012

Community law centre closures signalled

7:29 pm on 2 May 2012

A number of New Zealand's community law centres may be closed as a result of a Ministry of Justice review of their services.

In a consultation paper, the ministry is proposing a two-tiered service of community law centres plus an online and 0800 phone line service.

The ministry says it is not reducing funding to community legal services and wants to improve access to legal information.

There are 26 community law centres in New Zealand and Radio New Zealand News understands not all of them will be put up for tender.

Community Law says there is a huge demand for its free service which offers advice on a range of legal problems.

Chief executive Elizabeth Tennet says the organisation will fight to retain the centres.