The Turnbull government has abandoned plans to slash millions of dollars in funding from community legal centres after coming under intense pressure from lawyers, Labor and the states.

The government was due to effectively take $35 million from the sector, which gives free legal help to disadvantaged and vulnerable people in 190 centres across Australia, under new funding arrangements due to start on July 1.

Legal centres warned the 30 per cent shortfall would have plunged them into crisis, forcing them to sack staff and turn away thousands more desperate people who could not afford their own legal advice.

But Attorney-General George Brandis is now promising $55.7 million in extra funding to be confirmed in the May 9 budget, which will prioritise victims of domestic violence and Indigenous people.