Launceston Community Legal Centre

The LCLC provides FREE legal advice to the most vulnerable in the community. In these difficult financial times, LCLC is now obliged to only assist those who are financially disadvantaged in some way and who fall within one of the ‘priority client’ categories listed in the National Partnership Agreement. At first, a forty five minute, one off legal advice is provided to clients, which can include but is not limited to, such matters as wills, power of attorney, debt, contract, consumer rights, boundary fences and restraint orders, employment or unfair dismissal issues, family law issues, welfare rights issues and disability discrimination issues. We also provide guidance to those clients who wish to self litigate.

Disability Discrimination Service

The LCLC provides a free legal service to people who believe they have been treated differently because of their disability. People can experience disability discrimination in a number of different areas, including:

• Employment
• Education
• Provision of goods or services
• Accommodation

The disability discrimination solicitor will be able to advise people as to the merit of their case, what action they can take and in certain circumstances offer free legal representation.

General Legal Service

Through its General Legal Service, the LCLC provides a free 45 minute advice-only appointment with a solicitor who deals with most civil matters including:

• Restraint Orders
• Consumer Affairs
• Wills and Estates
• Boundary Fences
• Traffic Infringement notice and fines
• Bankruptcy
• Small claims

The solicitor will be able to give you information on your legal issue and advise you as to what your next steps should be in relation to that issue. Appropriate referrals will also be made if necessary.

Welfare Rights Advocate

The Welfare Rights Advocacy Service provides advice, information and representation in matters relating to Centrelink/DSS issues for residents of the North of Tasmania.

Additionally, there is an opportunity for clients to be represented at the:

• Social Security Appeals Tribunal and/or
• Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Employment Law Service

The Employment Law Service is a dedicated service that provides assistance, advice and representation in a wide range of employment law areas, including:

• Unfair Dismissal
• Adverse Action (General Protections)
• Disputes in relation to pay entitlements and superannuation
• Disputes in relation to workplace rights and entitlements
• Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination in the workplace

Family Law Service

The LCLC has a family lawyer available to provide:

• One off free advice and referral for family law matters
• Additional legal support for clients attending Family Dispute Resolution through the Launceston Family Relationship Centre including:
  • General information sessions
  • Individual advice
  • Assistance with court documents

The Family Relationship Centre and Legal Assistance Services Partnership has been developed with the objective of facilitating an ongoing relationship between the Launceston Family Relationship Centre (FRC) and the Launceston Community Legal Centre (LCLC) that will enable clients of the FRC to access direct legal services as they navigate the Family Dispute Resolution process.

We provide legal information and advice to clients and FRC staff, both individually and in groups. We also draft consent orders as a result of successful parenting plans, but do not represent clients in court should they not resolve their matter successfully. We aim to support families in resolving their own disputes where possible, whilst ensuring that the best interests of the child remain the primary focus.

This program is unique in that it provides objective legal assistance and support within family dispute resolution rather than as a consequence of its failure, which can be a critical factor in achieving resolution outside the courts.