Public Defenders

Public Defenders are salaried barristers independent of government who appear in serious criminal matters for clients who have been granted legal aid.

Minyma Malilu artwork

Annual Criminal Law Conference

Registrations are now open to The Public Defenders' Criminal Law Conference 2025.

To view the event summary and register online, click here.

Request a Public Defender

Find out who Public Defenders can appear for and how to request our services.

Note: We do not provide general legal advice to the public. If you need legal help, refer to the Legal Aid/LawAccess NSW website, or call 1300 888 529 for assistance.

Make a request

Resources from Public Defenders

Sentencing Tables
Sentencing tables can be used as a guide, and can be searched for by offence.
Papers
Papers by Public Defenders on a variety of topics.
Conferences
Find out about conferences held by The Public Defenders and access past conference papers.

​​​If you experience difficulty reading any of the documents on this website and you require an accessible version, please email pd-admin@justice.nsw.gov.au

Artwork by Clarise Tunkin, Minyma Malilu (detail), 2023.

The original artwork can be seen on display at the Public Defenders Chambers in Darlinghurst.