As its title suggests, the Legal Assistance Committee is responsible for managing and monitoring the provision of legal assistance, particularly in two key areas:

1. Community law centres, and
2. Mental health advocacy.

In fulfilling these functions, the Committee does the following:

1. Provides opinions to the Law Society on applications made by community law centres in respect of the services they wish to provide.
2. Liases with community law centres.
3. Monitors the provision of advocacy for mental health patients.
4. Prepares a roster for each of the psychiatric units in the greater Wellington area and ensures that advocates attend.
5. Provides training for practitioners wishing to be included on the rosters.

The Committee also looks at more general issues regarding the availability of legal advice to the community. Meetings are held at lunchtime on the second Tuesday of every month. New members are always welcome.