Last updated 8 February 2023

Legal aid

Legal aid (i.e. government-funded legal assistance and representation) is not available for public interest litigation to protect the environment in Queensland. Therefore, apart from the risk of an adverse costs order to pay the legal expenses of the other side if the case is lost, the individual or community group taking the action must meet all of their own expenses associated with litigation.

Environmental Defenders Office

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is a community legal centre for environmental law. In some cases the EDO can act as the solicitor for no fee. Some other law firms and barristers are willing to work for reduced or no fees for public interest cases. In some cases, expert witnesses provide their services on a similar basis.