The Cairns Community Legal Centre Inc (the Centre) is a non-profit government funded community organisation that provides FREE legal services and referral for the benefit of members of the community who are socially or financially disadvantaged.

Services operated by the Centre

The Centre operates 3 services:

· A Core (General) Service

The Core (General) Service offers FREE legal services in the areas of criminal law, traffic matters, family law, civil law (including motor vehicle accident and debt recovery matters), consumer complaints, employment law, discrimination work (other than disability discrimination), neighbourhood disputes, bankruptcy matters and other miscellaneous matters.

The Core (General) Service is available to people who live in Far North Queensland(the are north from Cardwell to the Cape York/Torres Strait and west to Normanton/Karumba).

· The Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS).

The DDLS offers FREE legal services in relation to disability discrimination matters.

The DDLS is available to people with a disability who live in North Queensland (the area from Sarina/ Mackay north to the Torres Strait and west to the Queensland/ Northern Territory border).

· The Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS)

The SLASS offers FREE legal and support services for the benefit of seniors affected by elder abuse or financial exploitation.

The SLASS is available to people who live within an hours’ drive of Cairns.

What sort of legal work does the Centre provide?

The Centre provides:

· Legal advice, Information and Referrals

· Community education

· Some limited casework, and

· Law reform and social policy work

How do I access the Centre’s Service?

Simply contact the Centre. Please note legal advice is by appointment only.

Who can use the Centre’s services?

Where appropriate, the Centre may assist people who:

· are socially or financially disadvantaged; and

· have a legal problem which the Centre is able to assist with; and

· live in the geographical area covered by the Centre’s relevant Service.

In some cases not for profit organisations (who predominantly service people who are socially and financially disadvantaged), may also access the Centre’s Services.

What if the Centre cannot assist?

Sometimes people contact the Centre for advice or assistance which the Centre is unable to provide. In such cases the Centre will do its best to provide an appropriate referral.

Who funds the Centre?

The Core (General) service is funded by Commonwealth and State Governments and is one of more than 200 community legal centres nationwide.

The DDLS is funded by the Commonwealth Government and is one of a national network.

The SLASS is funded by the Queensland Department of Communities and is one of a statewide network.

What does it cost to use the Centre’s services?

The Centre’s Services are generally free. There may however be some occasions when you may be asked to pay a contribution fee or have to pay for out of pockets expenses, outlays or other costs. If applicable this will be discussed with you.

Donations are also always welcome!

Our sincere thanks goes out to those volunteers who generously give their time to support the Centre and its objectives. Without these people the Centre would not be able to provide many of the services that it does.

Updated: April 2009