Attorney-General Simon Corbell spoke of the urgent need to provide legal services to Canberra's most disadvantaged during a ceremony to welcome in the 2015 legal year on Monday morning.

The federal government announced last year it would rip about $15 million from the Legal Aid budget over the next four years.

The ACT Legal Aid Commission will lose about $400,000 this financial year alone.

Mr Corbell said Legal Aid was already struggling to meet demand, and called for the funding cuts to be reversed.

"We really need the federal government to understand that their cuts to Legal Aid can't stand, because disadvantaged people are suffering," Mr Corbell said after his speech.

"Less people are getting legal assistance, less people are getting legal representation, and this can't go on at a time when the Productivity Commission has confirmed the need to increase Legal Aid funding across the country."

Mr Corbell acknowledged it would be "very, very difficult" to secure federal funding, but said early intervention prevented the build up of protracted legal cases, saving money in the long run.

Asked whether he would boost ACT Government funding, should the Commonwealth ignore his plea, Mr Corbell said:

"I am certainly giving consideration to what the ACT Government can do... we do have a shared responsibility."

He said the government would work to make sure ACT funding was spent in the most effective way. That, Mr Corbell said, included reducing duplication between existing community legal centres.

Mr Corbell also spoke of his government's intention to expand the use of restorative justice - which works with victims and criminals to reduce the harm caused by crime - to adult offenders and more serious crimes.

He said restorative justice had proven to be the most effective tool for victims and adult offenders.

"It is one that we can take great advantage of, given our knowledge and experience in this jurisdiction," he said.

He said 2015 would see continued work on the new Supreme Court building, upgrades to the court's information and communications technology, and the introduction of a judicial complaints system.

Also speaking at the ceremony, ACT Supreme Court Chief Justice Helen Murrell spoke of the Lindt cafe siege in Sydney, and the Charlie Hebdo killings in Paris.

Chief Justice Murrell said that, for lawyers, the events should serve as a reminder of the importance of the rule of law.

Disability advocate, Aspen Medical managing director, and ACT Australian of the Year Glenn Keys also spoke to the gathered legal fraternity, urging them to help the intellectually disabled, who come before the courts in disproportionate numbers.