Law Society of WA | Article
The Law Society of Western Australia is the professional association for Western Australian barristers and solicitors. Membership of the Law Society is not compulsory for lawyers. The Law Society has a strong commitment to enhancing access to justice by members of the Western Australian community. To this end the Society has developed and maintains a […]
Law Council of WA | Article
The Law Council represents the Australian legal profession on national and international issues, on federal law and the operation of federal courts and tribunals. It works for the improvement of the law and of the administration of justice. The Law Council is a federal organisation representing 65,000 Australian lawyers through their bar associations and law […]
Family Relationship Centres | Article
Family Relationship Centres are a source of information and confidential assistance for families at all stages in their lives. Centres have a focus on providing family dispute resolution (mediation) to enable separating families achieve workable parenting arrangements outside the Court system. Funded by the Australian Government, the Centres are staffed by independent, professionally qualified staff […]
Legal Assistance | Other Key Organisations | Article
WACOSS WACOSS is a not-for-profit, member based organisation and the peak body for the social service sector in WA. Since 1956, WACOSS has been developing and strengthening the non-government community services sector’s capacity to assist all Western Australians. At the heart of its activities, lies the belief that the mark of a civilised community is […]
Community Legal Centres Association of WA | Article
Community Legal Centres Association of WA (CLCAWA) known as Community Legal WA is the peak organisation representing all the current community legal centres operating in Western Australia. It is committed to the principles of human rights, social justice and equity, including the rights of Western Australians to equity in access to legal services. Community Legal […]
About Community Legal Centres (CLCs) in WA | Article
There are currently 26 CLCs in WA, all members of their State and National Associations. Generalist CLCs provide a range of legal services to specific geographical regions across WA. Some generalist CLCs also have specialist service units as part of their programs.Specialist CLCs offer services within specific areas of law and/or to specific groups within […]
Working Across the Community Sector | Article
Community Legal WA represents community legal centres in a variety of ways across the sector, such as through the WA Peaks Forum or by collaborating with others around specific issues. For example, safesystems is a coalition of community sector organisations which has been formed to ensure the Western Australian Government is committed to improving the […]
Lack of routine disability screening in our criminal justice system | Article
Key Finding 8 Understanding the complex legal needs of people with disability in Western Australia necessitates the examination of key challenges in our current system. One significant issue is the lack of routine disability screening in our criminal justice system. The current criminal justice system doesn’t sufficiently accommodate the complex needs of people with disability. […]
Conflicts of interest and perceived conflicts of interest as barriers to legal assistance | Article
Key Finding 7 A conflict of interest arises within the legal profession when a lawyer’s personal or professional interests may impede their ability to serve their client’s best interests. Such conflicts can occur when a lawyer or a legal firm represents two or more parties whose interests are antagonistic to each other. Legal professionals are […]
Sector-wide capability gaps in Legal Services for People with Disability in Western Australia | Article
Key Finding 6 The community legal sector across Western Australia is a diverse, skilled and competent mechanism creating accessible pathways to legal help for all. The sector continues to develop, improve and adjust to the changing demands of the community, government and the legal profession. This finding does however note gaps in capabilities which do […]
