Mental Health & Capacity Lawyers in New Zealand & Australia

Mental health and capacity lawyers help people subject to compulsory mental health treatment, and families dealing with a loved one who can no longer make decisions for themselves.

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Common situations

Compulsory assessment or treatment under mental health law
Reviews and tribunal hearings
Applying for guardianship or someone to manage property
Concerns about a person's capacity to make decisions
Rights of patients in hospital or care

Find a mental health & capacity lawyer near you

New Zealand

Northland (Whangārei)Auckland Waikato (Hamilton)Bay of Plenty (Tauranga)Gisborne Hawke's Bay (Napier)Taranaki (New Plymouth)Manawatū-Whanganui (Palmerston North)Wellington Tasman (Richmond)Nelson Marlborough (Blenheim)West Coast (Greymouth)Canterbury (Christchurch)Otago (Dunedin)Southland (Invercargill)

Australia

New South Wales (Sydney)Victoria (Melbourne)Queensland (Brisbane)Western Australia (Perth)South Australia (Adelaide)Tasmania (Hobart)Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)Northern Territory (Darwin)

Free and low-cost help

New Zealand: In New Zealand, District Inspectors (independent lawyers) can help people under compulsory mental health treatment at no cost. If cost is a concern, Community Law Centres offer free legal help throughout New Zealand, and you may be eligible for Legal Aid through the Ministry of Justice.

Australia: In Australia, mental health legal services in each state can help people facing involuntary treatment or tribunal hearings. If cost is a concern, community legal centres and your state or territory Legal Aid commission may be able to help.

General information only — not legal advice. Browse all practice areas or the full directory.