Media Release
Free legal advisory service during law week
15 May 2017
Law Society will be offering a free phone legal advisory service all week as part of Law Week, which is held nationally to promote public understanding of the law and its role in society.
Members of the public can book a 20-minute phone appointment between 1-5pm, Monday to Friday next week (May 15-19) to discuss any legal questions they might have.
Lawyers specialising in criminal matters, family law, wills and estates, and care and protection matters will be available to help guide people through legal matters they are dealing with.
While a 20-minute discussion might not be enough to solve legal problems, it could save people significant costs by helping to clarify where an individual stands and what the next step should be.
With the theme of this year’s Law Week being “Law and justice in your community”, Society President Tony Rossi said a free community service would be an ideal way to participate in Law Week.
Mr Rossi said that, in the context of limited resources of legal aid services and major backlogs in the courts, resolving a legal issue can be extremely challenging and time-consuming.
“If you cannot afford a private lawyer and are not eligible for legal aid, dealing with a legal issue can be stressful and confusing, and far more difficult to achieve a favourable outcome,” Mr Rossi said.
“Often, a brief consultation with a lawyer can set you on the right path or direct you to alternative pathways you may not have been aware of to resolve issues in a manner that is less onerous and more likely to achieve a positive outcome.”
Members of the public can contact the Law Society on 8229 0200 to book their free appointment with a lawyer who specialises in the relevant areas of law.
The Law Society runs a pro bono Legal Advisory service from 5.30pm to 6.50pm every Monday and Wednesday, where members of the public can have a 20-minute face-to face meeting with a lawyer for a nominal administration fee of $35 or $25 for concession card holders.