Note: the original hard copy of this report is 266 pages .

On the edge of justice: the legal needs of people with a mental illness in NSW    , 2006 This study examines the legal and access to justice issues experienced by people with a mental illness. The methodology comprised a literature review, focus group discussions with key stakeholders, in-depth interviews with 81 legal and non-legal service providers, and 30 semi-structured interviews with people who have a mental illness. The report concluded that people with a mental illness experience a number of legal issues with potentially serious personal and financial consequences, and face many barriers in having these legal issues addressed....

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Ch 3. Legal issues

Consultations for this study indicated that people with a mental illness appear to experience particular legal issues. These include:

• legal issues relating to mental illness, such as issues falling under the Mental Health Act 1990 (NSW) and adult guardianship
• discrimination in relation to employment, education and insurance
• criminal legal issues including behaviour-related offences, drug offences and fines
• housing issues, including problems relating to the Department of Housing (DOH), private rental and boarding house accommodation
• social security issues, including eligibility, breaching and social security debt and prosecution for fraud
• consumer issues, such as credit card debt and banking issues, mobile phone and other contractual debt
• family law and care and protection issues
• domestic violence and victim of crime issues.