Recent reports indicate adults and children as young as 10 in the NT could be left with without legal representation when charged with a crime, unless they are already in custody.

This comes as Legal Aid NT has been forced to cut services to address end of year funding shortfalls, according to the ABC, a situation advocates have termed a “betrayal of their communities”.

It’s the most recent crisis for the federal and state-funded legal service, which has been struggling to meet demand, with many pointing to impacts of tougher CLP justices polices.

 

Statement attributable to Attorney-General,Marie-Clare Boothby

The Wire also reach out to Legal Aid NT for further comment.

Image: Pexels – Pavel Danilyuk

Produced By: Emma Wotzke

Featured In Story: Tabith Lean – Organising Member with the National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls , and

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 20 November 2025