Legal Aid NSW is established under the Legal Aid Commission Act 1979 of New South Wales and is an independent statutory body. they provide legal aid and other legal services to disadvantaged people. Ten Board Members, appointed by the NSW Attorney General, govern Legal Aid NSW and determine its policies and strategic direction. The Board represents a range of key groups including the Law Society of NSW, welfare groups and the Bar Association of NSW. The daily management of Legal Aid NSW is overseen by the Chief Executive Officer, with assistance from the Executive.

They assist socially and economically disadvantaged people to understand and protect their rights. One of the functions of the legal system is to safeguard people's rights. The legal system can only perform this protective role if people have equitable access to it.

The justice system is not accessible to everybody. Financially disadvantaged people, disabled people, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and those who are institutionalized experience particular difficulties. Legal Aid NSW plays a special role in improving access to justice by providing a range of legal service to these disadvantaged people, with special emphasis on these target groups.