The LRS is a program of the Law Society that operates a territory-wide lawyer referral service open for members of the public. The LRS is designed to help people find a lawyer when they do not know any lawyers or when they are looking for a lawyer to assist them in a particular area of law. The LRS is made possible though the co-operation of the legal profession. There is no fee charged by the Law Society for lawyers to participate in the Service, or for clients to use the Service. The Service is not available to Legal Aid clients.
Lawyers list the areas of law of their choice.
The Law Society staff will screen potential referrals and refer clients to a lawyer in the area of law that they require. Lawyers will receive referrals that are consistent with their preferred areas of practice. When a referral is made, the client is instructed to contact the lawyer and set up an initial appointment. For each day's referrals, confirmation letters are sent to both the client and the lawyer. These letters set out the names, addresses and telephone numbers of both the client and the lawyer, as well as the general area of law the referral involves.