LawAccess NSW LawAccess NSW is a free telephone service that provides legal information, advice and referrals for people who have a legal problem in NSW. It is increasingly being used by public legal services as a first port of call for legal information, advice and referral, and essentially acts as a legal ‘triage’. LawAccess NSW’s Officers:
• Provide legal information to assist callers with a legal problem
• Will arrange for one of our Legal Officers to provide the caller with legal advice over the phone if they meet their guidelines
• Refer the caller to another legal or related service that is best able to help them
• Send them information that can help the caller with their legal problem
• Discuss their eligibility for Legal Aid and help them make an application for Legal Aid
LawAccess NSW provides priority assistance to callers who are at risk of harm, such as victims of domestic violence or people threatening self-harm and to people:
• In regional or rural NSW
• Who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Who have a disability
• Are from a non-English speaking background
LawAccess NSW is currently considering ways in which it can enhance its services to victims and defendants in domestic violence matters and is discussing a range of ideas with Legal Aid NSW for possible implementation early next year.
Legal Aid NSW services
In addition to its criminal law practice, Legal Aid NSW has family law and civil law practices at both pilot locations which can provide assistance to victims and defendants with legal issues arising from DVICM interventions and so assist the pilot to meet its intended outcomes of integrated support and enhanced victim safety.
The Family Law Program for example, provides advice, representation and duty solicitor services in family law matters including parenting order, care and protection and child support matters as well as de facto relationships and property matters. In addition, the Program delivers a range of community legal education services, including divorce classes at Head Office and in most regional offices.
The Civil Law Program provides advice and representation in a broad range of civil law problems such as credit and debt, victims’ compensation, housing, migration and social security.
The Criminal Law Program provides advice and in some cases, representation to both complainants and defendants in apprehended domestic violence proceedings. Where there is an associated charge, representation will be provided to the defendant subject to eligibility pursuant to relevant legal aid policies.
Copies of relevant Legal Aid policies can be accessed from: http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/asp/index.asp?pgid=746
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