Legal Aid
Legal aid is a government funded scheme which may pay legal costs in certain situations. The solicitors at Cathedral Lane Law are accredited to provide legal aid services for criminal defence, family court and civil proceedings. Eligibility depends on the nature of the case, and the means of the individual. If legal aid is granted, there may be a repayment, depending on the assets and income of the aided person.
Criminal Defence
It is a fundamental right that not only is a person innocent until proven guilty under New Zealand law, but anyone accused of a criminal offence has the right to consult a lawyer and present a defence in a fair trial before an impartial court. In practice, the state, who in most cases undertakes prosecutions, has far more resources that the individual defendant.
The need to involve a lawyer starts well before a prosecuting authority, usually the police, lays charges. Many people charged with criminal offences could fare much better in the process, but decisions and actions undertaken early in the process, such as making statements to police without the benefit of legal advice, derail and undermine any defence that might later be made.
Cathedral Lane Law advises people facing suspicion of criminal offending to remember that the law is often complex and statements heedlessly made without the benefit of legal advice have resulted in many convictions. There are rights of access to lawyers and fundamental rights against self-incrimination available to most criminal defendants.
In a prosecution, we can help by advising on the charges, considering the evidence that has been assembled by the prosecution, if appropriate assembling and preparing a defence, and undertaking the defence of the case in Court. In many cases, an early guilty plea may be appropriate, and in such cases we can help by obtaining the best outcome at sentencing.
The need to involve a lawyer starts well before a prosecuting authority, usually the police, lays charges. Many people charged with criminal offences could fare much better in the process, but decisions and actions undertaken early in the process, such as making statements to police without the benefit of legal advice, derail and undermine any defence that might later be made.
Cathedral Lane Law advises people facing suspicion of criminal offending to remember that the law is often complex and statements heedlessly made without the benefit of legal advice have resulted in many convictions. There are rights of access to lawyers and fundamental rights against self-incrimination available to most criminal defendants.
In a prosecution, we can help by advising on the charges, considering the evidence that has been assembled by the prosecution, if appropriate assembling and preparing a defence, and undertaking the defence of the case in Court. In many cases, an early guilty plea may be appropriate, and in such cases we can help by obtaining the best outcome at sentencing.
Family Court Work
These proceedings include disputes over the care and contact arrangements for children, family violence and relationship property. Occasionally there are adoptions, challenges to wills and other matters. Family law is a specialist area, with prescriptive statutes and overlays of international law. Often disputes over children are extremely distressing for all involved, and obtaining legal assistance can help in navigating the emotional turmoil of these matters.
Civil Litigation
Civil proceedings include disputes over contracts, claims for damages for negligence and other civil wrongs (torts) as well as a wide variety of claims in matters such as trusts. Some types of claims have their own specialised tribunals, for example, employment claims and leaky building claims. Cathedral Lane Law can assist with civil claims in such matters as contracts, negligence, defamation, employment and trusts.
Property Law
This includes the sale and purchase of houses, estates and trusts. Cathedral Lane Law can assist with these matters.