Whittlesea Community Legal Service (WCLS) Report
The Whittlesea Community Legal Service (WCLS) provides
services to ensure that those who are unable to afford private
legal assistance have access to the law.
Our legal team takes pride in grounding its approach and
priorities on the needs and experiences of the local
community and throughout 2011-12 legal advice and
casework formed the backbone of the team’s work. Day-time,
evening and outreach appointments were all made available
to ensure that our lawyers were accessible to as many in our
community as resources allowed.
Number of advice undertaken
Number of files opened 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
Number of files open as at 30 June 2012
Number of information and referrals
Total number of people assisted
1,167
379
259
211
1,524
An analysis of our legal statistics gives a more accurate insight into the emerging legal needs of the community. Family law
remains the number one reason people seek assistance from the WCLS but we have seen immigration related matters move
from third place in our top ten last year to second place in this year. Family violence is fifth behind a myriad of traffic related
legal matters and the experience of our staff and volunteers indicate that family violence levels within the community are at
acute levels.
Legal issues – Top 10
1
2
3
4
Family Law
Immigraion
Motor vehicle accidents
Trafffic Offences
614
75
63
55
5
6
7
8
9
10
Family/domestic violence
Neighbourhood disputes
Credit and debt
Consumer disputes
Property related
Fines and other civil
Clients - country of birth – Top 10
45
30
23
21
20
19
1
2
3
4
Australia
Iraq
India
Macedonia
614
75
63
55
5
6
7
8
9
10
Italy
Lebanon
Turkey
Iran
China
Greece and Sri Lanka
45
30
23
21
20
19
Our clients were born in 78 different countries, including Australia, with approximately 59% born overseas.
Outreach
Our commitment to be accessible to all sections of the community has included investing in the provision of outreach
services for those who have transport or other barriers to attending at our Epping offices. During the year WCLS services and
legal appointments were provided at the following locations in addition to Epping:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Whittlesea Township at Plenty Valley Community Health
Mill Park at Mill Park Community House
Lalor at Anglicare, (for women involved in family law/domestic violence matters)
South Morang at Kildonan Uniting Care
Greensborough at Greensborough Family Relationship Centre (GFRC)
Laurimar Estate (Doreen) at Laurimar Community Activity Centre
We remain grateful to the community services who have offered their facilities for our outreach programs.
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