Finding the law

Contributed by FriedaEvans, as amended by RachelKlesch and current to December 2024

When you want to find the law on a topic, reading a fact sheet, book, or credible internet source is a good place to start. Many sites on the internet, such as those provided by community organisations or the government, provide summaries of an area of law in Australia. You can also find cases and legislation online. Remember to check the authenticity of the information you use, including who wrote the information and when it was published. Also, check that the information is relevant to what you want to know, including finding out if it is right for your topic and your area, for example, if you need NT law or information from another state or territory. Seek out legal advice from a legal professional if you need help with your legal circumstances.

Here are some places to start to learn how to find sources of the law:

• Legal Research Skills: An Australian Law Guide, this free eBook is updated yearly and has useful information on searching and finding the law. There is advice on searching for cases and legislation, and chapter 26 provides detailed information on how to find NT legislation.
• Researching the Resources for the Australian Federal Legal System with Some Reference to the State Level, this website has information on the structure of the Australian legal system and access to Federal cases, legislation, and historical documents.

Two books written specifically about NT laws include:

• Mildren, Dean. Big Boss Fella All Same Judge: A History of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory (Federation Press, 2011)
• Gray, Stephen, Jenny Blokland and Ben Grimes, Criminal Laws Northern Territory (Federation Press, 3rd ed., 2021)

You may be able to access these two books through your local library.

Law online

Much of the current legal information is freely available online, including legislation and some cases. It is important to check your information's quality and accuracy; for example, government or court websites generally have reliable information. Avoid using information from sites such as social media and other sites where you may not be sure where the information comes from.

Some particularly useful websites can be found at:

• AustLll- this free site provides access to cases, legislation, journal articles, and other legal information. You can use the top search box to search using keywords or narrow your search by selecting which state or territory you want to find information on. For the NT, you can find cases from the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory, the Local Court, and legislation.
• NT Legislation- this site contains acts and subordinate legislation as they are today. Links to Hansard (the proceedings of the Parliament) and Gazettes (the official publication for notifying actions and decisions of the government) are also available from this site.
• Federal Register of Legislation- this site contains current and historical Federal legislation, access to the Australian Constitution and other sources of information such as the Gazettes.
• Supreme Court of the Northern Territory- this site has access to daily court lists, court decisions, sentencing remarks and other helpful information about the court.
• NT Local Court- this site has access to forms, information about going to court and the decisions of the local court.
• Territory Stories- this site is from the Northern Territory Library. You can search Hansard, local newspapers, and other material on this page. This site is particularly useful when looking for historical NT information.

Local help

You may also be able to access free public legal information from;

• Australian Competition & Consumer Commission ('ACCC'): this agency provides information for consumers, including information on buying products and services.
• Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal ('NTCAT'): this organisation looks after resolving smaller legal disputes in the NT. They have information sheets and guides to help you with processes and procedures at NTCAT.
• NT Consumer Affairs: this organisation assists with consumer protection in the NT; you can find information on its site about purchasing goods and services, residential tenancies and residential building disputes.
• Darwin Community Legal Service: This organisation has legal advice sessions where the public can talk to a lawyer. Their website also has factsheets that can give you an overview of an area of law, such as appealing a Centrelink decision.
• Domestic Violence Legal Service ('DVLS'): free legal advice for people who have experienced or are at risk of domestic or family violence in Darwin and surrounding areas. Their website will also provide information about family violence law and online safety.
• NT Legal Aid Commission: has a free phone helpline service for the public to get legal information on various subjects and free legal advice clinics in family, criminal and civil law.
• North Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency ('NAAJA'): free legal advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the NT. Practice areas include criminal, civil and family law.
• North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service ('NAAFLS'): free legal representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in matters relating to domestic, family and sexual violence.
• Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit ('CAAFLU'): free legal assistance and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in matters relating to domestic, family and sexual violence.
• Law Society NT- information including a legal referral service and legal costs.
• Ombudsman NT: This agency investigates complaints against the NT government, local councils and police conduct. Their website has information about the complaint process, news and other reports.
• There are women's legal services, including Top End Women's Legal Service(TEWLS), Kathrine Women's Information and Legal Services(KWILS), and Central Australian Women's Legal Service(CAWLS).

Local libraries

Local libraries may offer limited services, although many won't have extensive freely available collections; most will have introductory textbooks. A person representing themselves in the Supreme Court may be granted permission to use the Courts Library collection in Darwin while their case is active. See the loans and access policy on their website for further information. In addition, in the NT, we have access to the following;

• Library & Archives NT provides collections, including government archives, print copies of the gazettes, and other material. Free public wi-fi may be available; see their website for locations, opening hours and contact details.
• Charles Darwin University Library allows for community borrowing, including textbooks. See the website for information on borrowing, locations and opening times. Some collections of cases, called law reports, are available in hard copy, including the Commonwealth Law Reports ('CLR') at the Casuarina Campus and Northern Territory Law Reports ('NTLR') at the City Campus.