You do not have to sort out custody, the home or a court case on your own. Norway has free legal aid for some cases, a free lawyer for many victims who report, and free legal clinics run by law students.
This is general information, not legal advice. Each service was checked against its own website on 6 November 2026. Rules change: read what the service itself says before you decide.
Who can help
Free legal aid (fri rettshjelp)
The state pays all or part of a lawyer's help: advice outside court (fritt rettsråd) or help with a court case (fri sakførsel).
Who it is for Free whatever your income if, for example, you want advice on reporting violence in a close relationship. In other cases, such as parental disputes, your finances are assessed.
First step Contact a lawyer. They can apply for you, and in many priority cases can grant the advice themselves. You can also apply yourself online.
Victim's lawyer (bistandsadvokat)
A lawyer paid by the state who supports you if you report: in police interviews, during the investigation and in any trial.
Who it is for If you are exposed to domestic violence you usually have the right, if the violence was serious or repeated. You can get a free meeting before you decide to report.
First step Choose a lawyer yourself and ask for a free first meeting, or ask the police, who must tell you about this right. The court appoints the lawyer.
JURK – Legal Advice for Women
Free legal help from law students, for example about violence, family and children, immigration, housing, debt, work and welfare benefits.
Who it is for For everyone who identifies as a woman, anywhere in Norway.
First step Send your case with the online form on their website, or call or visit in their intake hours for new cases on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Jussbuss
Free legal help from law students about housing, debt, ID fraud, immigration, work, welfare benefits, social services and prison law.
Who it is for People living anywhere in Norway, and people abroad with questions about Norwegian rules.
First step Send a new case with the online form, or call or visit during case intake (Monday evening, Tuesday daytime). They do not answer email or social media.
Jussformidlingen (Bergen)
Free legal help from law students, mainly about welfare benefits, prison and social law, work, immigration and housing. Not criminal or child custody cases.
Who it is for Private persons living anywhere in Norway, whatever your finances.
First step Send your case with the form on their website, or visit. They will phone you back, so give a number that is safe for you.
Jusshjelpa i Nord-Norge (Northern Norway)
Free legal help from law students about family, children, marriage, debt, housing, work, welfare benefits, social services and prison law.
Who it is for Private persons, with a focus on Northern Norway and on those who need help most. Not criminal law, tax or damages cases.
First step Send your case with the online form (in Norwegian or English), or call or visit. They normally contact you within two working days.
Good to know They contact you after you send your case, so give a phone number or email that is safe for you.
Gatejuristen (Kirkens Bymisjon)
Free legal help with advice, guidance and representation. They reach out to people who struggle to claim their rights.
Who it is for People who have, or have had, problems with alcohol or drugs.
First step Open their 'Finn oss' page and choose your area to find contact details and intake times. They cover the whole country.
Numbers
Free legal aid
If you face violence in a close relationship you can get free legal advice, with no means test, while you decide whether to report.
Ask Askepott
Not sure what fits you? Ask in your own words, or press an example. Nothing you write is stored.
Other topics
- Money to live on in NorwayHelp with money when you leave an abusive partner in Norway: Nav social assistance, help in an emergency, single-parent support, child support and free debt advice.
- A safe place to live in NorwaySomewhere safe to stay when you leave violence in Norway: crisis centres for women, men and children, temporary housing from Nav, and help with the rent.
- The police and protection in NorwayReporting violence in Norway, restraining orders, a personal alarm, a protected address, the Support Centre for Victims of Crime and compensation for victims of violence.
- Children, custody and contact in NorwayHelp for children and parents after violence in Norway: family counselling offices and mediation, Statens barnehus, child welfare services and supervised contact.
- Your residence permit if you leave in NorwayIf your residence permit in Norway depends on your partner: the UDI rule for people who have been abused, crisis centres for everyone, and your right to an interpreter.
- Health care and help after sexual assault in NorwayHealth care after violence in Norway: the out-of-hours medical centre, sexual assault centres, your GP, and support centres for people who have been sexually abused.
- Help for particular groups in NorwayHelp in Norway for men, LGBTQ+ people, older people, disabled people, Sámi people and people facing forced marriage or negative social control.