To request a lawyer to represent you, it`s a good idea to call your local legal aid office or check this website for office hours. The quickest way to get help from us is to look for legal answers or use our online chat. They prioritize intensive legal services such as legal advice and representation for those who need it most. They also recognize the links between legal and social issues and advocate for change. [2] See the “Finding Legal Answers” section of Victoria Legal Aid`s website for free information on many common legal issues. What happens if my financial situation changes after I receive legal aid? The Board is responsible for ensuring that Victoria Legal Aid achieves its statutory objectives and fulfills its functions and duties under the Legal Aid Act 1978. It has a president and six directors appointed by the Attorney General of Victoria and appointed by the governor. At least one member must have experience in financial management; at least one person must have experience in public administration; At least one person must have experience in criminal proceedings (either as a lawyer or bailiff) and at least one person must have experience in other areas of the legal practice practised by Victoria Legal Aid or its agents. When the position of VLA`s CEO was changed to CEO in November 2018, there was a vacancy on the Board of Directors. This position has since been held by Andrew Saunders. The Chief Executive Officer cannot be appointed to the Board of Directors.
[2] To receive your application, a staff member will ask you for complete and truthful information about: If there is no legal aid office in your area or if you cannot come to the office, you can request legal representation by phone by calling our provincial call centre. VLA has a Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, three large in-house law firms, an in-house advocacy team, and legal and corporate support functions. [2] The guidelines are complicated, but trained intake officers will be the first step in the process. Applicants are asked a variety of questions about income, assets, and citizenship or immigration status to determine if they qualify. To begin the application process, visit How to Apply. In 1969, the state government passed a new law. This Act transferred the competence of the Legal Aid Committee for Civil and Small Criminal Cases and the competence of the Prosecutor General for serious criminal cases. In 1974, the Commonwealth Government established the Australian Legal Aid Office. This office provided legal assistance in federal law matters such as family law and bankruptcy. The Australian Legal Aid Office also assists persons for whom the Commonwealth has special responsibility, such as welfare recipients and members of the armed forces. In some cases, such as domestic violence, forced evictions, or service of court documents, you may need immediate legal help.
The idea of legal aid goes back more than 100 years in Victoria. [3] Victoria Legal Aid helps people resolve family disputes in order to make parenting arrangements that are safe, feasible and child-centred. They also help parents build their ability to resolve future disputes without legal counsel. They contribute to the safety of adults and children affected by family violence and help reduce the incidence of family violence by providing legal information, advice and representation. [2] Before 1928, only prisoners or very poor people could apply to the Supreme Court for legal aid. In 1928, the government created the Office of the Public Advocate to make legal aid more accessible. People were eligible if they did not own property worth more than £50. As more and more people learned about legal aid, the demand grew. This has resulted in a backlog of cases in the Public Prosecutor`s Office. In order to provide more legal aid, the Victorian Government passed the Legal Aid Act 1961, which established the Legal Aid Committee.
This committee was led by the legal profession. Victoria Legal Aid (VLA), formerly the Legal Aid Commission of Victoria, is an organisation that provides information, legal advice and education with a focus on preventing and resolving legal issues promptly. [2] Victoria Legal Aid provides free advice to people with legal problems, with a focus on criminal law, family law and some civil law issues. Some of its services are available to all Victorians, while other services are only available to those who are eligible. Victoria Legal Aid also offers training to strengthen the community`s knowledge of legal rights and responsibilities. If you can`t afford a lawyer to do your case, you can ask if Victoria Legal Aid will pay for a lawyer to help you (which requires you to ask for a lawyer). Victoria Legal Aid maintains an in-house advocacy practice to ensure it has a thorough and practical knowledge of the needs and challenges of the jurisdictions in which legal aid services are provided. The primary mission of Victoria Legal Aid Chambers (Chambers) is to provide high-quality advocacy to solicitor-assisted clients in civil, criminal and family, juvenile and children`s rights matters, and to conduct strategic litigation to resolve a legal issue or change a policy or process for the benefit of an individual client and the wider community. [2] Search our website for legal information and your options.
Popular topics include: To qualify for TRLA`s free legal services, an applicant must meet income, wealth, and immigration requirements set by the U.S. Congress, Texas Legislature, and other funding sources. TRLA will always try to find a source of funding that allows for representation for people who cannot afford to pay for a private lawyer. For legal advice or legal information or advice, you can: Victoria Legal Aid cannot provide legal advice in matters of business or business, defamation, intellectual property, wage disputes, industrial accidents, wills (death estates) or the purchase and sale of real estate. Client applications are reviewed based on financial eligibility and other requirements. Customers who are unsure if they are eligible for our services can call the phone number above. You can hire a lawyer to help you with: VLA also manages funding for Community Law Centres in Victoria by the Commonwealth and the state government. Community Law Centres (CLCs) are independent community organizations that provide free advice, intervention and legal education to their communities. VLA manages funding for the majority of CLCs in Victoria and the Federation of Community Legal Centres through the CLC Funding Program and ensures that the centres meet their service agreements. It also focuses on supporting the professional development of the sector through joint training initiatives. The Victoria Legal Aid Commission (LACV) was established in 1978 as an independent statutory body. LACV has taken over the functions of the Australian Legal Aid Office, the Legal Aid Committee and the Office of the Lawyer.
The LACV had a broader role than the Legal Aid Committee and the Public Prosecutor`s Office. Its tasks included legal training in the Community and legal reform. The LACV had an 11-member Board of Directors, which included representatives from municipal legal centres, social welfare groups and the legal profession.