Australian Capital Territory
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Legal Aid
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Legal Aid Commission (ACT)
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Freecall: 1300 654 314
General enquiries: (02) 6243 3411
After Hours Legal Advice: 0429 440 084
E-mail: legalaid@legalaid.canberra.net.au
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Provides free minor advice and assistance for most types of legal problems through face to face advice appointments and by telephone. It also provides grants of legal aid for solicitors to take on cases based on means and merits tests.
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Telephone/ online services
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Law Society of the ACT
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Phone: (02) 6247 5700
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Provides online information about some areas of law in the ACT and legal procedure
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Family Relationship Advice Line |
Phone: 1800 050 321 |
Provides confidential telephone information and referrals on family law issues |
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Pro Bono Referral Schemes
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ACT Pro Bono Clearing House
(ACT Law Society)
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Phone: (02) 6247 5700
Email via www.actlawsociety.asn.au/contact-us
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Provides pro bono legal assistance in public and private interest matters to people in the ACT by application to the Administrator
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Legal Advice Bureau (ACT Law Society)
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Phone: (02) 6247 5700
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Provides free 15 minute consultations on legal issues at lunch time from 12.30–2pm, Monday to Friday by appointment only. Wednesday is Family Law only. Not means tested
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Community legal
services
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Directory of Community Legal Centres in ACT
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Provides a directory of community legal centres in the ACT
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| Indigenous Legal Organisations |
Aboriginal Legal Services NSW/ACT Ltd |
Ph: (02) 8842 8000 |
The ALS (NSW/ACT) provides legal services and representation appropriate to Aboriginal communities across NSW and the ACT. |
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New South Wales
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Legal Aid
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Legal Aid NSW
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Phone: (02) 9219 5000
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Provides free minor advice and assistance for most types of legal problems through face to face advice appointments and by telephone. It also provides grants of legal aid for solicitors to take on cases based on means and merits tests.
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Telephone/ online legal services
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Law Access NSW
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Phone: 1300 888 529
TTY: 1300 889 529 (9am–5pm
Monday to Friday)
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A free government telephone service and website that provides legal information, advice and referrals for people who have a legal problem in NSW
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Family Relationships Advice Line |
Phone: 1800 050 321 |
Provides confidential telephone information and referrals on family law issues |
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Find Legal Answers |
Phone: (02) 9273 1558
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Provides free legal information on the law in NSW as well as some research assistance |
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Pro Bono Referral Schemes
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NSW Bar Association
Legal Assistance Referral Scheme
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Phone: (02) 9232 4055
Email: legalassist@nswbar.asn.au
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Provides advice and representation for free or at reduced rates to persons in NSW subject to a means and merits test
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Law Society of NSW Pro Bono Scheme
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Phone: (02) 9926 0364
Email: probonoscheme@lawsocnsw.asn.au
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Provides pro bono referrals to people in NSW who have been refused legal aid for the relevant proceedings, pass the means and merits test, and fall within the Scheme's guidelines
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Public Interest Law Clearing House (NSW) (PILCH)
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Phone: (02) 9114 1793
Email: info@pilchnsw.org.au
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PILCH assesses requests for legal assistance for matters that are in the public interest against its eligibility criteria and refers eligible requests to its members, who provide assistance on a no charge or reduced-fee basis.
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Homeless Person's Legal Service (HPLS)
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Phone: (02) 8898 6545
Email: homelessproject@piac.asn.au
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HPLS provides free legal assistance to, and advocacy on behalf of, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Legal services are provided by pro bono lawyers at crisis accommodation centres and welfare agencies.
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Court-based pro bono referral schemes
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Federal Court of Australia Legal Assistance Scheme
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This legal assistance scheme which operates on the basis that referrals are made BY THE COURT if to do so is in the interests of the administration of justice. The central aspects of the scheme are embodied in Order 80 of the Federal Court Rules.
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Supreme Court of New South Wales Legal Assistance Scheme
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Phone: (02) 9230 8189
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This legal assistance scheme which operates on the basis that referrals are made BY THE COURT if to do so is in the interests of the administration of justice. The central aspects of the scheme are embodied in Part 66A of the Supreme Court rules.
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District Court of New South Wales Legal Assistance Scheme
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Ph: (02) 9232 4055
See the NSW Bar Association for further details
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This legal assistance scheme which operates on the basis that referrals are made BY THE COURT if to do so is in the interests of the administration of justice. The central aspects of the scheme are embodied in Part 28C of the District Court rules.
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Local Court of NSW Legal Assistance Scheme
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Ph: (02) 9232 4055
See the NSW Bar Association for further details
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The Bar Association operates the Duty Barrister Scheme in the Local Court of NSW. Barristers are rostered each day on site.
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Community legal services
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Directory of Community Legal Centres in NSW
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Provides a directory of community legal centres in NSW
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| Indigenous Legal Organisations |
Aboriginal Legal Services NSW/ACT Ltd |
Ph: (02) 8842 8000 |
The ALS (NSW/ACT) provides legal services and representation appropriate to Aboriginal communities across NSW and the ACT. |
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Northern Territory
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Legal Aid
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Legal Aid
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Phone: 1800 019 343 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4 pm)
(08) 8999 3000
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Provides free minor advice and assistance for most types of legal problems through face to face advice appointments and by telephone. It also provides grants of legal aid for solicitors to take on cases based on means and merits tests.
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Telephone/online services
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Family Relationship Advice Line |
Phone: 1800 050 321 |
Provides confidential telephone information and referrals on family law issues |
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Pro Bono Referral schemes
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Law Society NT Pro Bono Clearing House
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Phone: 08 8981 5104
Email: porp@lawsocnt.asn.au
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The Northern Territory Pro Bono Clearing House was established in November 2008. It is operated by the Access to Justice Committee of the Law Society Northern Territory. Contact the Clearing House coordinator at the Law Society for further information.
The Law Society also operates a ‘First Interview Scheme’ whereby participating law firms agree to provide a first half-hour consultation for $77.
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Community legal services
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Directory of Community Legal Centres in NT
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Provides a directory of community legal centres in the NT
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| Indigenous Legal Organisations |
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency
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Phone: 1800 898 251
Email:
mail@naaja.org.au
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NAAJA can help with many legal problems, including discrimination, housing, consumer problems, financial counselling, or assistance where a relative has died in custody. |
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Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service Incorporated |
Freecall within NT: 1800 636 079
Phone: (08) 8950 9300
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Provides free legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in criminal, family and some civil law. |
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Queensland
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Legal Aid
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Legal Aid Queensland
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Phone: (07) 3238 3444
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Provides free minor advice and assistance for most types of legal problems through face to face advice appointments and by telephone. It also provides grants of legal aid for solicitors to take on cases based on means and merits tests.
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| Telephone/online services |
Family Relationship Advice Line |
Phone: 1800 050 321 |
Provides confidential telephone information and referrals on family law issues |
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Pro Bono Referral schemes
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Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House Inc (QPILCH)
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Phone: (07) 3846 6317
Email: administration@qpilch.org.au
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QPILCH is a research, assessment and referral service, referring public interest cases with legal merit to member barristers and law firms for pro bono assistance. QPILCH also manages the Bar Association of Queensland and Queensland Law Society's pro bono referral schemes on their behalf and conducts direct services through its Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic, Consumer Advice Clinic and Administrative Law Clinic.
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Homeless Person's Legal Clinic (HPLC)
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Phone: (07) 3846 6317
Email: administration@qpilch.org.au
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Pro bono lawyers provide advice to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in relation to most legal matters (excluding family or serious criminal matters) at welfare agencies and may assist clients on an ongoing basis by undertaking research and/or casework.
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Community legal services
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Directory of Community Legal Centres in QLD
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Provides a directory of community legal centres in Queensland
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Self-Represented Litigant Schemes
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Self-Representation Service (Courts) (QPLICH)
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Phone: (07) 3846 6317
Email: administration@qpilch.org.au
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Can assist eligible self represented parties with the conduct of their case in the civil jurisdictions of the Supreme and District Courts (including applications) and the Queensland Court of Appeal
refer ineligible parties to more appropriate avenues for assistance.
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Self Representation Service (QCAT) (QPILCH)
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Phone: (07) 3846 6317
Email: administration@qpilch.org.au
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Provides free legal advice and assistance to people at the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The Service is staffed by QPILCH lawyers (QPILCH staff and member firm lawyers) on a rostered basis.
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| Indigenous Legal Organisations |
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Legal Services (Townsville NQ) Ltd
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Phone: (07) 4722 5111
1800 074 463
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Provides free legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in criminal, family and some civil law. |
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Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Legal Service (Qld South) Ltd
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Freecall: 1800 012 255
Phone: (07) 3025 3888
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Provides free legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in criminal, family and some civil law. |
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South Australia
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Legal Aid
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Legal Services Commission of South Australia (Legal Aid)
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Legal Help Line: 1300 366 424
General enquiries: (08) 8463 3555
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Provides free minor advice and assistance for most types of legal problems through face to face advice appointments and by telephone. It also provides grants of legal aid for solicitors to take on cases based on means and merits tests.
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Telephone/online services
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Law Handbook (Legal Services Commission of South Australia)
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The Law Handbook provides online information on the law in South Australia presented in everyday language. It outlines your rights and responsibilities in a range of legal areas and advises on where you can go for more assistance.
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Family Relationship Advice Line |
Phone: 1800 050 321 |
Provides confidential telephone information and referrals on family law issues
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Pro Bono Referral Schemes/ Legal advice services
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JusticeNet SA
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Phone: 08 8303 5005
Email: info@justicenet.org.au
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Justice Net is SA's pro bono clearing house that commenced operation in July 2009. To be eligible for assistance individuals must:
- have a case that has legal merit
- be ineligible for assistance from existing legal services (such as legal aid and community legal centres); and
- be unable to afford a private solicitor or barrister.
Also the Law Society of South Australia co-ordinates a number of reduced-fee services. It provides referrals to solicitors according to specific areas of law, geographic locations, languages, home visits by solicitors, a Legal Advisory Service at the Law Society (5.30–7.30 pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 20 minutes costs $22 or $10 concession), and First Interview Scheme (participating firms provide initial advice at the rate of $33 for the first half-hour). It also provides an online referral service which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
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Adelaide Legal Outreach Service (ALOS)
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Phone: (08) 8303 5722 or
(08) 8231 2850 (Fridays only)
Email: margaret.castles@adelaide.edu.au
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ALOS is a referral and legal advice service for people who are homeless or disadvantaged. Operates on Fridays out of the Westcare Centre, 212 Wright St, Adelaide. Run by the University of Adelaide Law School, advice and assistance is provided by law students under the supervision of volunteer lawyers.
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| Community legal services |
Directory of Community Legal Centres in SA |
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Provides a directory of community legal centres in SA
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| Indigenous Legal Organisations |
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Freecall: 1800 643 222
Phone: (08) 8211 8824
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ALRM provides free legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in SA in criminal, family and some civil law. |
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Tasmania
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Legal Aid
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Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania
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Phone: (03) 6233 8383
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Provides free minor advice and assistance for most types of legal problems through face to face advice appointments and by telephone. It also provides grants of legal aid for solicitors to take on cases based on means and merits tests.
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Telephone/online services
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Family Relationship Advice Line |
Phone: 1800 050 321 |
Provides confidential telephone information and referrals on family law issues
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| Pro Bono Referral Schemes |
Law Society of Tasmania's Pro Bono Clearing House |
Phone: (03) 6234 4133
Email: info@taslawsociety.asn.au
c/- Martyn Hagan
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The Law Society of Tasmania's Pro Bono Clearing House was launched in May 2010. The Clearing House won’t accept cases where advice could be provided through the Legal Aid commission, but will help applicants in cases which either raise a matter of broad public concern, or alternatively matters that have a reasonable prospect for success.
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Community legal services
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Directory of Community Legal Centres in Tasmania
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Provides a directory of community legal centres in Tasmania
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| Indigenous Legal Organisations |
Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service Cooperative Ltd
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Freecall: 1800 132 260
Phone: (03) 6234 0700
Email: hobart@tacinc.com.au
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TALSC provides free legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Tasmania in criminal, family and some civil law. |
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Victoria
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Legal Aid
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Victorian Legal Aid Commission
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Phone: (03) 9269 0234
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Provides free minor advice and assistance for most types of legal problems through face to face advice appointments and by telephone. It also provides grants of legal aid for solicitors to take on cases based on means and merits tests.
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Telephone/online services
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Law Institute of Victoria
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Phone: (03) 9607 9311
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Provides members of the public in Victoria with a range of information, services and resources to enable them to better access and understand the justice system and the law.
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Family Relationship Advice Line |
Phone: 1800 050 321 |
Provides confidential telephone information and referrals on family law issues
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Pro Bono Referral schemes
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Law Institute of Victoria Legal Assistance Scheme (LIVLAS)
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Phone: (03) 8636 4425
Email: livlas@pilch.org.au
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LIVLAS provides assistance in most areas of law provided that they meet income and merits criteria and other forms of assistance are not available.
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Victorian Bar Pro Bono Scheme
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Phone: (03) 8636 4419 Email: vbpbs@pilch.org.au
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VBPBS provides advice in any area of law and representation in federal and state courts and tribunals provided the matter meets means and merits criteria.
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Public Interest Law Clearing House (Victoria) (PILCH)
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Phone: (03) 8636 4444
Email: admin@pilch.org.au
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PILCH is a partnership of Community Legal Centres, private law firms, the Victorian Bar, the Law Institute of Victoria, and a number of corporate members. PILCH’s core business is to receive and assess applications for legal assistance from the public and refer them to pro bono solicitors and barristers through five pro bono schemes, the Public Interest Scheme, the Victorian Bar Pro Bono Scheme (VBPBS) and the Law Institute of Victoria Legal Assistance Scheme (LIVLAS), Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic (HPLC), and Pilch Connect, a legal service for not-for-profit community organisations. The Schemes assist disadvantaged individuals who are ineligible for legal aid and cannot afford a lawyer and community groups with public interest objectives to obtain legal assistance. In addition to its legal referral services, PILCH has increasingly involved itself in legal policy and advocacy work and community education.
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PilchConnect |
Phone: (03) 8636 4444
Email: connect@pilch.org.au
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The PilchConnect service provides free and low cost legal information for not-for-profit community organisations. We also provide training and, subject to eligibility criteria, are able to refer Victorian not-for-profit community organisations to our member law firms for pro bono (free) legal assistance. |
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Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic (HPLC)
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Phone: (03) 8636 4410 Freecall: 1800 606 313
Email: hplc@pilch.org.au
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HPLC provides free legal assistance to, and advocacy on behalf of, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Civil and administrative legal services are provided by pro bono lawyers at crisis accommodation centres and welfare agencies. Contact HPLC for more information.
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Community legal services
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Directory of Community Legal Centres in Victoria
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Provides a directory of community legal centres in Victoria
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| Indigenous Legal Organisations |
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services Incorporated |
Phone: 1800 064 865
1800 064 865
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VALS provides free legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Victoria in criminal, family and some civil law. |
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Western Australia
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| Legal Aid |
Legal Aid Commission of WA
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Phone: (08) 9261 6222
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Provides free minor advice and assistance for most types of legal problems through face to face advice appointments and by telephone. It also provides grants of legal aid for solicitors to take on cases based on means and merits tests.
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Telephone/online services
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Family Relationship Advice Line |
Phone: 1800 050 321 |
Provides confidential telephone information and referrals on family law issues |
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Pro Bono Referral schemes
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Law Access Pro Bono Referral Scheme(WA)
Law Society of WA
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Contact: Dominique Hansen
Phone: (08) 9322 7877
Email: lawaccess@lawsocietywa.asn.au
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This pro bono referral service is operated by the Law Society of WA and refers public interest as well as non-public interest matters. Public interest matters will be given priority, but matters without ‘public interest’ will still be referred to participating lawyers if means and merits tests are satisfied.
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Western Australian Bar Association (Inc)
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Contact: Elspeth Hensler
Phone: (08) 9220 0487
Email: ehensler@francisburt.com.au or
info@wabar.asn.au
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Applications for pro bono assistance are to be made in writing — by letter or email for the attention of the President.
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Community legal services
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Directory of Community Legal Centres in WA
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Provides a directory of community legal centres in Western Australia
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| Indigenous Legal Organisations |
Aboriginal Legal Services of Western Australia (Inc)
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Freecall: 1800 019 900
Phone: 08 9265 6666
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ALSWA provides free legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in WA in criminal, family and some civil law.
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