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

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 sorted by offence and court.
Papers
Papers by Public Defenders on a variety of topics.
Conferences
Find out about conferences held by the Public Defenders Office 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.