What does it take to deliver legal assistance services in regional, rural and remote New South Wales?
On 26 February 2026, the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW brought together researchers and sector leaders to explore findings from A balancing act: Lawyers’ views on access to justice in regional, rural and remote NSW – new research examining how legal assistance services operate in RRR NSW’s complex local ecosystems while navigating limited resources, workforce pressures and fragmented service systems.
Based on in-depth interviews with lawyers working across RRR NSW, the research reinforces the value of collaboration and place-based approaches, pointing to the critical role of individuals in driving effective collaboration. The discussion explored practitioners’ nuanced views on technology — when does its use support access to justice, and when does it not?
Hosts
- Kate Davies, Research Director, Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
- Delphine Bellerose, Principal Researcher, Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
Panellists
- Justine O’Reilly, Manager, Cooperative Legal Service Delivery Program, Legal Aid NSW
- Kate Halliday, Managing Solicitor, Aboriginal Child and Family Advocacy Support, Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT)
- Gabby Maginness, Senior Lawyer, Hume Riverina Community Legal Service
View the report:
This qualitative study examined access to justice in regional, rural and remote (RRR) NSW through interviews with 28 legal professionals across 15 locations and an in-depth case study of the Hume Riverina region. The research explored what services are available for people needing legal assistance in RRR NSW, how legal organisations operate in these areas, what facilitates or hinders effective service delivery, and the role of technology in supporting access to justice.