Hunter Community Legal Directory

Transcription

1 Hunter Community Legal Directory

2 Hunter Community Legal Directory Background The idea for this directory of legal services and resources originated with the Hunter Region Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) program which is funded by Legal Aid New South Wales. What is the Cooperative Legal Service Delivery Program? The Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) Program is a regionally-based approach to legal service delivery. In NSW, CLSD aims to improve outcomes for economically and socially disadvantaged people by building cooperative and strategic networks of key legal services and community organisations. CLSD is based on the theory that better coordination and cooperation in the planning and delivery of legal services will result in more efficient and effective use of scarce resources and improve access to justice for disadvantaged people. CLSD Program objectives The Program s three main objectives are to ensure that: economically and socially disadvantaged people are able to efficiently and effectively access legal services which can help them to understand, protect and enforce their legal rights and interests; consideration is given to legal need and equity in the provision of legal services and resources; and planning and delivery of legal services is approached in a coordinated and cooperative manner between service providers. As part of the CLSD Hunter Strategic Plan developed by members of the group in 2006, a key strategy was to create a nuts and bolts legal directory. This idea was further developed in a workshop conducted by the Law and Justice Foundation and by working groups made up of Hunter CLSD members before the current directory was developed. Aim of Directory The aim of this directory which has been approved by the Hunter CLSD group and Legal Aid NSW (the end funders of the project) is: to improve the accuracy of referral to legal agencies in the Hunter for people who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Law and Justice Foundation research (Pathways to Justice: the role of non-legal services Justice Issues Paper 1 ) indicates that non-legal workers are commonly the first person a disadvantaged person approaches about a legal problem. This research suggests that 'frontline' non-legal service providers are often the

3 first to identify that a client has a problem which requires legal advice or assistance, even when that client has approached the service for help with other issues. For example, a youth worker assisting a client to find accommodation may discover that the client has large amounts of fine-related debt. Similarly, a doctor may identify that a patient is a victim of domestic violence or elder abuse when they present with certain injuries. It is on this basis that 'frontline' non-legal service providers are identified as the primary audience for this directory. These include: community based support workers, front line staff in legal agencies, court and tribunal staff and relevant government department staff. However, even though the directory is aimed at frontline non-legal workers, the Hunter CLSD group also believes it will be a useful resource for legal practitioners (from both public and private legal sectors) as well as disadvantaged groups, particularly those from rural communities in the region who often do not have reasonable access to legal support. Private Legal Practitioners: Private legal practitioners have not been included in this directory. However, private lawyers often provide substantial support for disadvantaged people through grants of legal aid, victim s compensation scheme grants or pro bono work (free or at a substantially reduced cost). To locate private legal practitioners who can assist in this fashion, see the pro bono entries in the directory or contact the Law Society of NSW solicitor referral service. Using the Directory This directory contains information and contact details of key legal or legal-related agencies for disadvantaged people in the Hunter (including the Great Lakes and Taree local government areas) If you are not sure where to start, you have the option of first ringing a state-wide free legal information service called LawAccess NSW on to find out what area of law the problem is in and what resources may be available. The Hunter Legal Directory will then help pinpoint more local resources. Law Access NSW LawAccess NSW is a free government telephone service that provides legal assistance for people who have a legal problem in NSW. They can provide you with information about your legal problem and contact details for services that might be able to assist you. They can also refer you to your nearest Legal Aid NSW office, Community Legal Centre, private lawyer or other organisation.

4 Tel: (cost of a local call) TTY: If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on and ask them to call LawAccess NSW Assisted and Supported s Warm s Law and Justice Foundation research and CLSD members have identified that key referrers often need to do more than just provide a phone number of a legal agency when a disadvantaged person needs legal help. This is particularly the case when assisting a person with a cognitive disability such as mental illness, intellectual disability or brain injury. Instead, what is required in this type of situation is a warm referral. This involves contacting another service on the client s behalf and may also involve either writing a report or case history on the client for the legal service. In some cases, it may even involve attending the legal appointment with the client. This approach is often far more effective for clients who are hesitant about contacting other services or who simply may not have the means (such as a telephone) to contact the other agency. For example, in the Law and Justice Foundation study, one mental health service provider commented: I think it is incredibly easy just to refer them out. But I think with mental illness, or anyone that is seriously disadvantaged, that is not going to work because they won t (take) the referral. So there needs to be more hand-holding. So that means possibly people being able to go between a number of resources and act as a central coordinator to assist that person instead of just a referral. They don t just ring (they) make sure they don t fall through the cracks. Steps in making a warm referral. Some of the key steps in making such a referral for legal assistance may include some of the following. Doing basic research to identify the legal problem or area of law to properly target the referral. Contacting the legal service to ensure that they can offer appropriate assistance. Providing a background history of the problem and helping the client gather relevant documentation. When appropriate (for example, if the client has a cognitive disability) attending legal appointments or court with the client to help them understand the process.

5 The directory was compiled in 2009 by Sonia Powazuk (Hunter Region CLSD Coordinator), Joan Ranger and Mark Grierson of Disability Advocacy NSW Inc using funding provided by Legal Aid NSW. It was updated in 2010 by Angie Watson of Region Library. In 2012 the directory was updated with the assistance of the Samaritans Tenancy Resource Service. For comments or suggestions, please contact the CLSD Regional Coordinator on or at Updated versions will be available on

6 HUNTER COMMUNITY LEGAL DIRECTORY CATEGORIES Category page Apprehended Violence Orders 1 Children and Youth 3 Complaints 4 Consumers 5 Courts and 6 Credit and Debt 9 Criminal 10 Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Background 11 Disability 12 Discrimination 13 Domestic Violence 14 Employment 15 Family and 16 Health 19 Housing 19 Indigenous Legal Information and 24 Mediation 26 Men 28 Mental Health 28 Non Legal Support & 29 Older People 29 Pro Bono Lawyers 30 Sexual Assault 30 Victim s Services 31 Wills and Estates 32 Women 33

7 Apprehended Violence Orders Belmont Local Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required Pacific Hwy local_court_belmont@agd.nsw.go Belmont v.au Apprehended Violence Orders Cessnock Local Court Apprehended Violence Orders Dungog Local Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - Wednesdays only - appointment required Maitland Road Cessnock 2325 local_court_cessnock@agd.nsw.g ov.au Lord local_court_dungog@agd.nsw.gov Dungog au Apprehended East Maitland Local Violence Orders Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required John local_court_east_maitland@agd.n East Maitland sw.gov.au Apprehended Violence Orders Forster Local Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required Lake local_court_forster@agd.nsw.gov. Forster au Apprehended Violence Orders Gloucester Local Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - Wednesdays only - appointment required Church local_court_gloucester@agd.nsw. Gloucester gov.au Apprehended Violence Orders Kurri Kurri Local Court Apprehended Violence Orders LawAccess NSW Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required A free phone service (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday excl public holidays) that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases legal advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. 24 hour online legal information is available on their website Lang local_court_kurri_kurri@agd.nsw.g Kurri Kurri ov.au PO Box 620 Parramatta Apprehended Violence Orders Maitland Local Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required High local_court_maitland@agd.nsw.go Maitland v.au Page 1

8 Apprehended Violence Orders Murrurundi Local Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - Wednesdays only - appointment required Murrulla local_court_murrurundi@agd.nsw. Murrurundi gov.au Apprehended Muswellbrook Local Violence Orders Court Chamber registrar service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required Bridge local_court_muswellbrook@agd.n Muswellbrook sw.gov.au Apprehended Violence Orders Local Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required Church local_court_newcastle@agd.nsw.g ov.au Apprehended Raymond Terrace Local Violence Orders Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required William local_court_raymond_terrace@ag Raymond Terrace d.nsw.gov.au Apprehended Violence Orders Scone Local Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required Cnr Liverpool & Main s Scone local_court_scone@agd.nsw.gov.a u Apprehended Violence Orders Singleton Local Court Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required Elizabeth local_court_singleton@agd.nsw.g Singleton ov.au Apprehended Violence Orders Taree Local Court Chamber registrar service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required Albert local_court_taree@agd.nsw.gov.a Taree u Apprehended Violence Orders Toronto Local Court Chamber registrar service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended violence orders - appointment required Carey local_court_toronto@agd.nsw.gov. Toronto au Chamber service can assist with applications for domestic violence orders & urgent apprehended Apprehended Wallsend Justice Access violence orders - Mondays only - appointment Violence Orders Centre required Suite 2, 1st Floor 84 Nelson Wallsend Page 2

9 Children & Youth Broadmeadow Children's Court Deals with matters related to the care & protection of children & young people; also criminal cases concerning children & young people Lambton Road /childrens Broadmeadow u _court Children & Youth Children's Court Assistance Scheme Provides legal information, court support & referral for young people appearing before the Children's Court for criminal matters PO Box hunter_nsw@clc.net.au Children & Youth Supervises & cares for young offenders in the community & detention centres - also provides Department of Juvenile youth justice conferences for young people Justice (NSW) - Maitland referred by police or courts Andrews Maitland djj@djj.nsw.gov.au Children & Youth Department of Juvenile Justice (NSW) - Muswellbrook Supervises & cares for young offenders in the community & detention centres - also provides youth justice conferences for young people referred by police or courts Muswellbrook Court House Bridge Muswellbrook djj@djj.nsw.gov.au Children & Youth Department of Juvenile Justice (NSW) - Supervises & cares for young offenders in the community & detention centres - also provides youth justice conferences for young people referred by police or courts Smith Charlestown djj@djj.nsw.gov.au Children & Youth Department of Juvenile Justice (NSW) - Taree Supervises & cares for young offenders in the community & detention centres - also provides youth justice conferences for young people referred by police or courts PO Box 989 Taree djj@djj.nsw.gov.au Children & Youth LawAccess NSW A free phone service (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday excl public holidays) that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases legal advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. 24 hour online legal information is available on their website PO Box 620 Parramatta Children & Youth Law Society of NSW Provides a Solicitor Service which assists members of the public find a private firm of solicitors or accredited specialists in specific areas of law Phillip Sydney ereferral@lawsocnsw.asn.au ty/findingalawyer/solicitorreferrals ervice/index.htm Page 3

10 Children & Youth Children & Youth Children & Youth Legal Aid NSW - Legal Aid Youth Hotline National Children s & Youth Law Centre Provides a range of legal services to people who need advice and assistance, and representation to people who qualify for legal aid which is subject to means & merits tests & guidelines Free phone service providing legal advice & information for children & young people aged under Provides free legal advice & information in relation to the legal rights & interests of children & young people Level 2, Bolton newcastle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au PO Box 695 Parramatta ex.asp?pgid=613&cid=791&id=54 4 Law Building - First Floor, University of NSW admin@ncylc.org.au Children & Youth Victims Of Crime Assistance League Inc (VOCAL) A non legal support, information & referral service for victims of violence & their families Hudson Hamilton ceo@vocal.org.au Children & Youth Complaints Complaints Complaints Youth and Enterprises Legal Centre Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW - Australian Human Rights Commission Commonwealth Ombudsman Provides free advice line for young people and those in business. (temporarily suspended September 2012) PO Box Q361 QVB yelc@enya.org.au Investigates & conciliates complaints of discrimination in NSW or Investigates & conciliates complaints of discrimination in all Australian states & territories An independent body dealing with complaints about services provided by Australian government departments or agencies Level 1, 414 Hunter /adb Level 3, 175 Pitt Sydney reception@humanrights.gov.au GP Box 442 Canberra ACT ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.au Complaints Complaints Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) Financial Ombudsman's Service An independent body which assists in resolving electricity, gas & water complaints An independent body that resolves disputes between individuals and their financial service providers Level Castlereagh Sydney omb@ewon.com.au GPO Box 3 Melbourne VIC info@fos.org.au Complaints Health Care Complaints Commission (NSW) Acts to protect public health & safety by resolving, investigating & prosecuting complaints about health care or Locked Mail Bag 18 Strawberry Hills hccc@hccc.nsw.gov.au Page 4

11 Complaints LawAccess NSW A free phone service (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday excl public holidays) that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases legal advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. 24 hour online legal information is available on their website PO Box 620 Parramatta Complaints Complaints Complaints Complaints Complaints NSW Fair Trading NSW Ombudsman Office of the Legal Services Commissioner NSW Private Health Insurance Ombudsman (Commonwealth) Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (Commonwealth) Provides information & assistance in relation to consumer complaints including issues relating to motor vehicles, home building & renovation, credit, property & tenancy issues An independent body dealing with complaints about services funded by the NSW government Deals with complaints about solicitors & barristers in NSW Deals with complaints concerning private health insurance in all Australian states & territories Deals with telephone & internet customer complaints in all Australian states & territories Level 5, 400 Hunter newcastleftc@services.nsw.gov.au Level 24, 580 George Sydney nswombo@ombo.nsw.gov.au Level 9 75 Castlereagh Sydney olsc@agd.nsw.gov.au /olsc Suite 2, Level 22, 580 George Sydney info@phio.org.au PO Box 276 Collins West Melbourne VIC tio@tio.com.au Consumers Consumer Trader & Tenancy Tribunal NSW Conciliation & orders about disputes between tenants, landlords, traders & consumers in NSW Level 1, 175 Scott newcastle@cttt.nsw.gov.au Consumers Hunter Community Legal Centre Provides free legal advice, information & referral for people in the Hunter region PO Box hunter_nsw@clc.net.au Consumers LawAccess NSW A free phone service (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday excl public holidays) that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases legal advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. 24 hour online legal information is available on their website PO Box 620 Parramatta Page 5

12 Consumers Law Society of NSW Provides a Solicitor Service which assists members of the public find a private firm of solicitors or accredited specialists in specific areas of law Phillip Sydney ereferral@lawsocnsw.asn.au ty/findingalawyer/solicitorreferrals ervice/index.htm Consumers Legal Aid NSW - Provides a range of legal services to people who need advice and assistance, and representation to people who qualify for legal aid which is subject to means & merits tests & guidelines Level 2, Bolton newcastle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au Consumers NSW Fair Trading Provides information & assistance in relation to consumer complaints including issues relating to motor vehicles, home building & renovation, credit, property & tenancy issues or Level 5, 400 Hunter newcastle@services.nsw.gov.au Consumers University of Legal Centre Administrative Decisions Tribunal NSW Provides free legal advice, information & assistance for people in the Hunter region Reviews specific administrative decisions of NSW government agencies Level 2, University House, 300 King legalcentre@newcastle.edu.au w/unlc Level 10, Goulburn Sydney ag_adt@agd.nsw.gov.au /adt Belmont Local Court Broadmeadow Children's Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Deals with matters related to the care & protection of children & young people; also criminal cases concerning children & young people Pacific Hwy local_court_belmont@agd.nsw.go Belmont v.au Lambton Road, cc_broadmeadow@agd.nsw.gov.a /childrens Broadmeadow u court Cessnock Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Maitland Road local_court_cessnock@agd.nsw.g Cessnock ov.au Consumer Trader & Tenancy Tribunal NSW Conciliates & makes orders in relation to disputes between tenants, landlords, traders & consumers Level 1, 175 Scott newcastle@cttt.nsw.gov.au Page 6

13 Dungog Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - Wednesdays only - appointment required Lord local_court_dungog@agd.nsw.gov Dungog au East Maitland Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications (appointment required) John local_court_east_maitland@agd.n East Maitland sw.gov.au Family Court of Australia Registry Divorce, child custody, financial and property matters Bolton enquiries@familylawcourts.gov.au Forster Local Court Gloucester Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - Wednesdays only - appointment required Lake local_court_forster@agd.nsw.gov. Forster au Church local_court_gloucester@agd.nsw. Gloucester gov.au Guardianship Tribunal NSW Appoints guardians & financial managers for people with disabilities & older people who are unable to make their own decisions Level 3, 2A Rowntree Balmain gt@gt.nsw.gov.au Kurri Kurri Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Lang local_court_kurri_kurri@agd.nsw.g Kurri Kurri ov.au Maitland Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required High local_court_maitland@agd.nsw.go Maitland v.au Mental Health Review Tribunal NSW Tribunal which makes & reviews orders about the treatment & care of people with mental illness PO Box 2019 Boronia Park mhrt@doh.health.nsw.gov.au Page 7

14 Murrurundi Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - Wednesdays only - appointment required Murrulla local_court_murrurundi@agd.nsw. Murrurundi gov.au Muswellbrook Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Bridge local_court_muswellbrook@agd.n Muswellbrook sw.gov.au Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Church local_court_newcastle@agd.nsw.g ov.au Raymond Terrace Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required William local_court_raymond_terrace@ag Raymond Terrace d.nsw.gov.au Scone Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Cnr Liverpool & Main s Scone local_court_scone@agd.nsw.gov.a u Singleton Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Elizabeth local_court_singleton@agd.nsw.g Singleton ov.au Social Security Appeals Tribunal Reviews decisions made by Centrelink about social security, family assistance, child support, education & training payments HSBC Centre, Level 20, 580 George Sydney sydney@ssat.gov.au Superannuation Complaints Tribunal An independent dispute resolution body which deals with a range of superannuation-related complaints in all Australian states & territories Locked Bay 3060 GPO Melbourne VIC info@sct.gov.au Page 8

15 Taree Local Court Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Albert local_court_taree@agd.nsw.gov.a Taree u Toronto Local Court Victims Compensation Tribunal NSW (Victims Services) Wallsend Justice Access Centre Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - appointment required Assists victims of crime to deal with the cost of medical treatment, counselling & to compensate for any loss or damage to property & personal injury Chamber service can provide information, assistance & guidance to members of the public on basic legal problems, local court procedures & applications - Mondays only - appointment required Carey local_court_toronto@agd.nsw.gov. Toronto au Locked Bag 5118 Parramatta vs@agd.nsw.gov.au /vs Suite 2, Level 1, 84 Nelson Wallsend Credit & Debt Consumer Credit Legal Centre NSW Provides, information, referral and free legal advice to individual consumers on credit, banking and debt issues PO Box 538 Surry Hills info@cclcnsw.org.au Credit & Debt Credit & Debt Hunter Community Legal Centre Hunter Valley Project Financial Counselling Service Provides free legal advice, information & referral for people in the Hunter region Financial counselling, information & referral to legal advice where appropriate PO Box hunter_nsw@clc.net.au PO Box 467 Rutherford admin@financialcou.ngo.org.au Credit & Debt Lake Macquarie Financial Counselling & Gambling Service Provides financial counselling, information & referral for legal advice where appropriate Woodrising Neighbourhood Centre, 80 Haydenbrook Road Woodrising lmfgc@wnc.ngo.org.au Credit & Debt LawAccess NSW A free phone service (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday excl public holidays) that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases legal advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. 24 hour online legal information is available on their website PO Box 620 Parramatta Page 9

16 Credit & Debt Legal Aid NSW - Provides a range of legal services to people who need advice and assistance, and representation to people who qualify for legal aid which is subject to means & merits tests & guidelines Level 2, Bolton newcastle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au Credit & Debt Lifeline Financial Counselling Financial counselling, information & referral to legal advice where appropriate A Bryant Tighes Hill reception@lifelinehunter.org.au dex.php/financial-counselling Credit & Debt Moneycare Financial Counselling Service - Forster/Tuncurry Financial counselling, information & referral to legal advice where appropriate South lenece,pek@aue.salvationarmy.or Tuncurry g Credit & Debt Moneycare Financial Counselling Service - Financial counselling, information & referral to legal advice where appropriate Parry newcastle.moneycare@aue.salvati West onarmy.org Credit & Debt Moneycare Financial Counselling Service - Taree/Wingham Financial counselling, information & referral to legal advice where appropriate PO Box 309 pauline.smith@aue.salvationarmy. Wingham org Credit & Debt New South Wales Trustee & Guardian Legally appointed to provide financial management services to people with disabilities who are unable to manage their own financial affairs or Locked Bag 5115 Parramatta opcmail@opc.nsw.gov.au /opc Credit & Debt Toronto Assistance Centre Financial counselling, information & referral to The Boulevard legal advice where appropriate Toronto admin@torontoassistancecentre.n go.org.au Credit & Debt University of Legal Centre Provides free legal advice, information & assistance for people in the Hunter region Level 2, University House, 300 King St legalcentre@newcastle.edu.au w/unlc Credit & Debt Criminal Criminal Welfare Rights Centre Aboriginal Legal Service (Hunter region) Community Restorative Centre NSW (CRC) Justice Support Provides legal advice & representation in relation to social security matters or Provides legal advice & representation for indigenous people in relation to criminal matters and coronial inquests Counselling, advocacy, support and referrals for families who have family members in gaol /55 Holt Surry Hills welfarerights@welfarerights.org.au Level 3, 50 Hunter newcastle@alsnswact.org.au McKenzie Centre 16 Wood West hunterrc@crcnsw.org.au Page 10

17 Criminal Criminal Justice Support Network (IDRS) Supports people with an intellectual disability who are in contact with the criminal justice system - including support at court, police interviews, legal appointments, probation & parole & youth conferencing Suite 4 b, Level King West kenn@idrs.org.au sn_court.html Criminal Criminal LawAccess NSW Law Society of NSW A free phone service (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday excl public holidays) that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases legal advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. 24 hour online legal information is available on their website Provides a Solicitor Service which assists members of the public find a private firm of solicitors or accredited specialists in specific areas of law PO Box 620 Parramatta Phillip Sydney ereferral@lawsocnsw.asn.au ty/findingalawyer/solicitorreferrals ervice/index.htm Criminal Legal Aid NSW - Can provide the names of private solicitors in the Hunter region who take on criminal law matters under a grant of legal aid (subject to means & merits tests & guidelines) Level 2, Bolton newcastle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au Criminal Legal Aid NSW - Provides a range of legal services to people who need advice and assistance, and representation to people who qualify for legal aid which is subject to means & merits tests & guidelines Level 2, Bolton newcastle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au Criminal University of Legal Centre Provides free legal advice, information & assistance for people in the Hunter region Level 2, University House, 300 King legalcentre@newcastle.edu.au w/unlc Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Background Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Background Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association (MDAA) Assists people of culturally & linguistically diverse backgrounds who have a disability through the provision of advocacy assistance & supported referral for legal advice Northern Settlement Services (previously known as the Free legal advice clinic on the third Tuesday of Migrant Resource Centre) each month ( pm) - appointment required Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre 3 Illalung Road Lambton Chaucer Hamilton nss@nsservices.com.au Page 11

18 Disability Disability Australian Centre for Disability Law Criminal Justice Support Network (IDRS) Provides free legal advice, assistance & representation where possible for people with a disability who feel they have a complaint of disability discrimination Supports people with an intellectual disability who are in contact with the criminal justice system - including support at court, police interviews, legal appointments, probation & parole & youth conferencing PO Box 989 Strawberry Hills adviceline@disabilitylaw.org.au Suite 4 b, Level 1, King West kenn@idrs.org.au sn_court.html Disability Disability Non-legal advocacy assistance & supported referral for legal advice and information for Disability Advocacy NSW people with all disabilities Guardian Ad Litem Program NSW or Can facilitate the appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem in Children's Court proceedings to represent the interests (& instruct a legal representative) of the child, young person or parent with a disability Suite 3, Level King West da@da.org.au c/- Children's Court 2 George Parramatta childrenscourteo@agd.nsw.gov.au Disability Guardianship Tribunal NSW Appoints guardians & financial managers for people with disabilities & older people who are unable to make their own decisions Level 3, 2A Rowntree Balmain gt@gt.nsw.gov.au Disability Intellectual Disability Rights Service Provides free legal advice for people with an intellectual disability or PO Box 3347 Redfern info@idrs.org.au Disability Provides free legal advice & assistance about mental health law - also arranges legal representation through Legal Aid NSW for Mental Health Advocacy people appearing before either the Mental Service (Legal Aid NSW) Health Tribunal or the Guardianship Tribunal Lvl 4, Burwood Road Burwood ex.asp?pgid=514&cid=710&id=43 5 Disability Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association (MDAA) Assists people of culturally & linguistically diverse backgrounds who have a disability through the provision of advocacy assistance & supported referral for legal advice Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre 3 Illalung Road Lambton Disability NSW Office of the Public Guardian Substitute decision makers for people with a disability appointed by the Guardianship Tribunal PO Box 487 informationsupport@opg.nsw.gov. Gosford au /opg Page 12

19 Discrimination Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW - Investigates and conciliates complaints about discrimination or Level 1, 414 Hunter West /adb Discrimination Australian Human Rights Commission Investigates and conciliates complaints about discrimination GPO Box 5218 complaintsinfo@humanrights.gov. Sydney au Discrimination Discrimination Provides non-legal advocacy for people with a disability - can provide support in in disability discrimination matters with provision of Disability Advocacy NSW information & assistance to obtain legal advice Australian Centre for Disability Law Provides free legal advice, assistance & representation where possible for people with a disability who feel they have a complaint of disability discrimination Suite 3 Level King West da@da.org.au PO Box 989 Strawberry Hills adviceline@disabilitylaw.org.au Discrimination Hunter Community Legal Centre Provides free legal advice, information & referral for people in the Hunter region PO Box hunter_nsw@clc.net.au Discrimination LawAccess NSW A free phone service (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday excl public holidays) that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases legal advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. 24 hour online legal information is available on their website PO Box 620 Parramatta Discrimination Law Society of NSW Provides a Solicitor Service which assists members of the public find a private firm of solicitors or accredited specialists in specific areas of law Phillip Sydney ereferral@lawsocnsw.asn.au ty/findingalawyer/solicitorreferrals ervice/index.htm Discrimination Legal Aid NSW - Provides a range of legal services to people who need advice and assistance, and representation to people who qualify for legal aid which is subject to means & merits tests & guidelines Level 2, Bolton newcastle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au Discrimination University of Legal Centre Provides free legal advice, information & assistance for people in the Hunter region Level 2, University House, 300 King legalcentre@newcastle.edu.au w/unlc Page 13

20 Domestic Violence Carrie's Place - Maitland Women's refuge for women & children seeking protection from domestic violence - legal advice also available through the Carrie's Place outreach centre - appointment required PO Box 310 East Maitland info@carriesplace.org.au Domestic Violence Community Services Domestic Violence Line A state wide free service providing telephone counselling, information & referrals for people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence nts_carers_and_families/domestic _and_family_violence/dv_line.htm l Domestic Violence Domestic Violence Advocacy Service Provides free advice & information for women in NSW experiencing domestic violence PO Box 206 Lidcombe Womens_NSW@clc.net.au mestic-violence-advocacy-servicedvas.htm Domestic Violence Hunter Community Legal Centre Provides free legal advice, information & referral for people in the Hunter region PO Box hunter_nsw@clc.net.au Domestic Violence Provides court support & assistance to women Hunter Valley Women's & children seeking protection from domestic Domestic Violence Court violence in the Maitland, Cessnock, Singleton & Advocacy Service Muswellbrook areas PO Box 343 Maitland lesley@carriesplace.org.au ex.asp?pgid=597 Domestic Violence Provides court support & assistance to women Hunter Women's & children seeking protection from domestic Domestic Violence Court violence in the, Toronto, Belmont & Advocacy Service Raymond Terrace areas Court Office 74 James Hamilton hunter_dvcas@clc.net.au ex.asp?pgid=597 Domestic Violence Jenny's Place Women's and Children's Service Crisis line for domestic violence information, referral, counselling & accommodation PO Box 995 Parramatta Domestic Violence LawAccess NSW A free phone service (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday excl public holidays) that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases legal advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. 24 hour online legal information is available on their website PO Box 620 Parramatta Domestic Violence Legal Aid NSW - Provides a range of legal services to people who need advice and assistance, and representation to people who qualify for legal aid which is subject to means & merits tests & guidelines Level 2, Bolton newcastle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au Page 14

21 Domestic Violence Mensline Australia A non legal service which supports men & women going through relationship breakdown and may assist with legal referrals PO Box 2335 Footscray Vic talkitover@menslineaus.org.au Domestic Violence Mid North Coast Women's Domestic Provides court support & assistance to women & children seeking protection from domestic Violence Court Advocacy violence in the Forster, Gloucester, Taree, Service Wauchope & Port Macquarie areas PO Box 1813 Port Macquarie 2444 port@midcoast.org.au Domestic Violence Joy Cummings Centre Domestic Violence Resource Centre Domestic Violence Infoline Cnr Scott & Pacific s East support@resourcecentre.info com.au Domestic Violence Victims Of Crime Assistance League Inc (VOCAL) A non legal support, information & referral service for victims of violence & their families Hudson Hamilton ceo@vocal.org.au Employment Australian Fair Work Ombudsman (Commonwealth) Provides advice & assistance in relation to workplace rights & responsibilities, investigates workplace complaints & litigates breaches of workplace laws Level 1, Suite Wharf Road Employment LawAccess NSW A free phone service (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday excl public holidays) that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases legal advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. 24 hour online legal information is available on their website PO Box 620 Parramatta Employment Law Society of NSW Provides a Solicitor Service which assists members of the public find a private firm of solicitors or accredited specialists in specific areas of law Phillip Sydney ereferral@lawsocnsw.asn.au ty/findingalawyer/solicitorreferrals ervice/index.htm Employment Legal Aid NSW - Provides a range of legal services to people who need advice and assistance, and representation to people who qualify for legal aid which is subject to means & merits tests & guidelines Level 2, Bolton newcastle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au Employment Office of Industrial Relations NSW Provides information about awards, pay rates & Level 3, 97 Scott other conditions of employment in NSW u Page 15

22 Employment University of Legal Centre Provides free legal advice, information & assistance for people in the Hunter region Level 2, University House, 300 King w/unlc Cessnock Centrelink A monthly clinic providing free legal advice, information & referral for child support & family law matters by Legal Aid NSW - appointment required Deals with family law matters such as divorce, property of a marriage or de facto relationship, matters relating to children, maintenance & child Family Court of Australia - support - the registry provides procedural Family Law Registry information & advice re court processes (no legal advice given) Vincent Cessnock Bolton enquiries@familycourts.gov.au Family Relationship Centre - Cessnock Provides free information, assessment & referral including child focused family dispute resolution (mediation) which can be accessed by parents, grandparents & significant others involved in the lives of children - this service is provided on Thursdays - appointment required Vincent greaternewcastlefrc@interrelate.or Cessnock g.au Family Relationship Centre - Maitland Provides free information, assessment & referral including child focused family dispute resolution (mediation) which can be accessed by parents, grandparents & significant others involved in the lives of children - this service is provided on Thursdays - appointment required Unti 1, 555 High Maitland info@newcastlefrc.org.au Family Relationship Centre - Muswellbrook Provides free information, assessment & referral including child focused family dispute resolution (mediation) which can be accessed by parents, grandparents & significant others in the lives of children - this service is provided fortnightly on alternating Tuesdays & Wendesdays - appointment required QEII Building Cnr Bridge & Maitland s Muswellbrook info@newcastlefrc.org.au Page 16

23 Family Relationship Centre - Family Relationship Centre - Scone Provides free information, assessment & referral including child focused family dispute resolution (mediation) which can be accessed by parents, grandparents & significant others involved in the lives of children - appointment required Provides free information, assessment & counselling including child focused family dispute resolution (mediation) which can be accessed by parents, grandparents & significant others involved in the lives of children - this service is provided every 6 weeks - appointment required Hunter info@newcastlefrc.org.au Resourceid=2339&source=FRC Scone Community Health, Stafford Scone info@newcastlefrc.org.au Family Relationship Centre - Singleton Provides free information, assessment & referral including child focused dispute resolution (mediation) which can be accessed by parents, grandparents & significant others in the lives of children - this service is provided fortnightly on alternating Tuesdays & Wendesdays - appointment required Pitt Singleton info@newcastlefrc.org.au Family Relationship Centre - Taree Provides free information, assessment & referral including child focused family dispute resolution (mediation) which can be accessed by parents, grandparents & significant others involved in the lives of children Victoria Taree tareefrc@interrelate.org.au Forster Neighbourhood Centre A monthly clinic providing free legal advice, information & referral for child support & family law matters through Legal Aid NSW - appointment required Little Forster 2428 Hunter Community Legal Centre Provides free legal advice, information & referral for people in the Hunter region PO Box hunter_nsw@clc.net.au Page 17