Practical Legal Training at Community Legal Centres (CLCs) in Rural, Remote and Regional Australia

Barwon Community Legal Service – Geelong West, Victoria

Duration of LPE: 20 days or longer by negotiation

Intensity: Full time preferred (5 days)

Start time: Negotiable

About this Public Assistance Legal Service (PALS):

Barwon Community Legal Service (BCLS) provides free legal advice and assistance to people who live in the Geelong/Barwon area including the City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliffe, Surf Coast, Colac Otway and Golden Plains Shires. The catchment region contains a total population of around 250,000, with many pockets of extreme disadvantage. In fact, the area of Greater Geelong alone has one of the highest rates of disadvantage in rural Victoria, both in numerical terms as well as its concentration.

BCLS provides a range of services that include legal advice, referral to specialist casework services, community education and development; and policy and law reform activities.

BCLS provides advice across many areas of the law including:

• General Law in relation to motor vehicle accidents, traffic offences, debt and credit issues, neighbourhood disputes and Wills and Powers of Attorney.

• Social Security in relation appealing Centrelink decisions, pension and benefit claims, Centrelink debts, making complaints and other social security matters.

• Family Law in relation to a range of family law matters including divorce, parenting issues and child support.

• Child Support for clients who pay or receive child support or maintenance in relation to debts and arrears, stays of assessment, income estimates and court-based maintenance issues.

• Elder Law in relation to guardianship, administration, wills, elder abuse, accommodation and consumer banking issues.

• Family Violence Intervention Orders in relation to legal advice, court representation and related assistance to applicants in family Violence Intervention Order matters.

• Criminal Matters

BCLS also maintains a strong commitment to community legal education and community development as part of its overall social justice strategy. The Service’s approach is a strategic linking of casework with community legal education and law and policy reform work. The areas in which we engage volunteers include solicitor assistance, court duty, Night Service, Community Legal Education and general administration.

BCLS is a thriving generalist Community Legal Centre employing 7 lawyers and six administration staff in a diverse and supportive professional environment.

Contact Information:

Telephone: (03) 5221 4744

Address: 73 Pakington Street, Geelong West, Victoria, 3218

Website: http://www.fclc.org.au/centres.php?centre_type=1

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more about Geelong West see:

http://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/residents/suburbs/item/GeelongWest.aspx

http://www.geelongwestcommunitygarden.org/

http://www.geelongwestbrassband.com.au/