Legal Advice, Information and Referrals

 

Legal Advice

 

The Cairns Community Legal Centre Inc (the Centre) provides free legal advice, for the benefit of socially and financially disadvantaged members of the community within the geographical areas serviced by the Centre and that are within the Centre’s areas of competence.

 

 

The Core (General) Service

 

The Core (General) Service provides legal advice work in the areas of criminal law, traffic matters, family law, civil law, consumer rights, employment law, administrative law, discrimination work (other than in the area of disability discrimination), neighbourhood disputes and other miscellaneous matters.

 

The Core (General) Service provides legal advice work to socially or financially disadvantaged members of the community who live or work in Far North Queensland.

 

Free face to face legal advice is provided (by appointment only) by the Core (General) Service at the locations listed below. Where necessary, by reason of distance or otherwise, telephone advice can also be provided (where appropriate) via the Centre’s Cairns office by prior arrangement.

 

CAIRNS

  • At the Centre's office at 1st Floor Main Street Arcade 85 Lake St Cairns.
  • Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during normal office hours.
  • Every Thursday evening. This service is provided by volunteer Solicitors and students.

 

Telephone 4031 7688 to book an appointment to see a solicitor in Cairns.

 

MAREEBA

  • At Mareeba.
  • On the second Wednesday of every month. This service is provided by a volunteer solicitor and welfare workers.

 

Telephone 4031 7688 to book an appointment to see a solicitor in Mareeba.

 

ATHERTON

  • At Atherton.
  • On the fourth Wednesday of every month. This service is provided by a volunteer solicitor and welfare workers.

 

Telephone 4031 7688 to book an appointment to see a solicitor in Atherton.

 

INNISFAIL

  • At Innisfail.
  • On the first and third Wednesday of every month. This service is provided by a volunteer solicitor and welfare workers.

 

Telephone 4031 7688 to book an appointment to see a solicitor in Innisfail.

 

 

Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS)

 

The DDLS provides legal advice work in accordance in relation to cases involving discrimination on the basis of disability.

 

The DDLS provides advice work to people with a disability living in North Queensland. The DDLS is also available to the families, carers or associates, of people with a disability, where appropriate. People who live or work outside of these areas may be serviced at the discretion of the Centre.

 

Free face-to-face legal advice is provided (by appointment only) by the DDLS at the Centre's office in Cairns. Where necessary, by reason of distance or otherwise, telephone advice may be provided (where appropriate) by prior arrangement.

 

 

Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS)

 

The SLASS provides legal advice and support services for seniors concerned about elder abuse, mistreatment or financial exploitation.

 

The SLASS is available to seniors, their carers (or service workers) who live within an hours’ drive of Cairns.  Seniors who live outside of this area may be serviced at the discretion of the Centre.

 

Face to face advice and support is provided (by appointment) by the SLASS at the locations listed below. Telephone advice may also be provided (where appropriate) to senior’s, their carers (or service workers)who live outside of Cairns.

 

CAIRNS

 

·        At the Centre’s office at 1st Floor, Main Street Arcade 85 Lake St Cairns

·        Monday – Thursday during normal office hours.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book all appointments to see a solicitor in Cairns.

 

MAREEBA

 

·        At Mareeba.

·        On the first Friday of every month.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book all appointments to see a solicitor in Mareeba.

 

ATHERTON

 

·        At Atherton.

·        On the first Friday of every month.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book all appointments to see a solicitor in Atherton.

 

INNISFAIL

 

·        At Innisfail.

·        On the second Wednesday of every month.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book all appointments to see a solicitor in Innisfail.

 

MOSSMAN

 

·        At Mossman.

·        On the third Wednesday of every month.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book all appointments to see a solicitor in Mossman.

 

YARRABAH

 

·        At Yarrabah.

·        On the fourth Wednesday of every month.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book all appointments to see a solicitor in Yarrabah.

 

 

Information

 

The Centre maintains a large range of brochures, self help kits and other information resources containing material about the law and related issues as well as other services.

 

Where possible, the Centre obtains resources that are available in a range of languages, are culturally appropriate, and come in a variety of modes for people with disabilities (eg audio tapes, large print).

 

Anyone requiring information should contact the Centre.

 

 

Referrals

 

The Centre provides referrals to people where appropriate and on the basis of need.

 

The Centre refers:

  • internally for matters in which the Centre provides a service (for example to the Disability Discrimination Legal Service or Seniors Legal and Support Service) and
  • externally for matters where:
    • the Centre does not offer a service
    • there is a conflict of interest
    • the matter falls / client lives outside the geographical/legal area covered by the Centre
    • the matter falls outside the Centre’s area of expertise
    • additional services are required to complement services provide by the Centre
    • a referral is more appropriate (for example if a client presents with a tenancy problem it may be that it is more appropriate to refer the client to a specialist tenancy service)
    • otherwise appropriate (for example where, even though the Centre provides a particular service, the Centre is fully booked out and urgent assistance is required).

 

The aim of referring clients is to:

  • avoid conflicts of interest
  • increase the ability of clients to:
    • obtain a relevant service
    • receive assistance in a timely fashion
    • access justice
    • access the people with the appropriate expertise
    • seek a number of solutions both legal and non legal
  • generally to increase the efficiency of provision of services to clients.

 

In all cases the Centre does its best to provide clients with referrals that are appropriate.

 

Updated: March 2010

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