Legal aid groups face an uncertain future, lawyers and the SA Government say, despite a recent boost to one service that helps people pursue cases in the state's higher civil courts.

Charity JusticeNet expanded its Self-Representation Service to the District Court this month after a successful 18-month trial solely for Supreme Court matters.

The service helps those who cannot afford a lawyer, but its funding from the State Government and private donors is only expected to last about another year.

Retired farmer Neil Bennie, 63, is currently receiving help from JusticeNet to bring a property dispute to court.

He said he could never have afforded a lawyer.

"They wanted $20,000 and that was about 10 years ago, so it would be a lot more now," Mr Bennie said.

"Before, I just couldn't be in it to win it, there was no hope, but now I've got hope."

Retired SA farmer Neil Bennie is currently receiving help from JusticeNet to bring a property dispute to court. ( ABC News )

The service almost closed earlier this year after funding dried up, but was rescued by a last-minute, private and government cash injection.

The extra money also paid for the service's expansion to the District Court. It is now operating four days, instead of just one day a week.

JusticeNet's executive director Tim Graham said legal aid was focused almost exclusively on criminal law matters, not civil cases, and he wanted that to change.

"This service is about providing targeted assistance and advice to people, if you like, behind the scenes," he said.

"Helping them to prepare their documentation, helping them to ensure their pleadings are in the correct form, helping them to comply with court rules.

"We simply don't have the resources to give everybody their own barrister or counsel in court."

Mr Graham said legal aid should cover all civil cases, but conceded that was unlikely to happen.

"It would be good to see eligibility for legal aid expanded to provide more help for people who are experiencing civil law problems," he said.

"But the reality is it's not going to change anytime soon."

JusticeNet relies on lawyers providing their expertise for free.

The Supreme and District Courts deal with civil claims worth more than $100,000.

Underfunding situation 'dire': Law Society

The Law Society of South Australia said other legal assistance groups, which provide civil support in the Magistrates Court, were seriously underfunded.

President Rocco Perrotta said the federal and state governments needed to address the whole sector's precarious situation.

"It's a fairly dire situation I'd suggest and they're working really hard to ensure that they make the dollar go as far as it possibly can," he said.

"One would like to see a full review of this industry, the legal aid industry, to ensure that we can maximise the benefit of the dollar going into this area.

"Most tend to think that more money can go in."

Attorney-General John Rau said there was no question the sector was under stress.

"There's also no question that the current service delivery model they had with the number of providers they've got presently is not going to be sustainable beyond the current financial year," he said.

Mr Graham said sustainable funding was needed to ensure JusticeNet's long-term survival.

"We'll be having discussions with the Attorney-General's Department about ensuring that the service can continue in the long-term," he said.