Bushfire affected help-seeker Legal Assistance
Justice Connect is accepting referrals from organisations or individuals for help-seekers who are affected by bushfires. Proceed with selecting "I am referring a person affected by bushfires" to provide details. We are able to provide assistance for a range of legal matters and make referrals for pro bono representation if the help-seeker is affected by bushfires and cannot afford legal assistance for their matter.
Homeless Law
The Homeless Law service may be able to provide free legal advice and representation for people in Victoria experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with the following types of legal issues:
● credit and debt
● tenancy and housing problems
● infringements where these are connected to homelessness
● some criminal law matters
● guardianship and administration
Public Interest Law
Focuses on assisting Australians with public interest legal issues who cannot afford the legal assistance that they need.
‘Public interest' usually refers to:
● a legal issue involving an important point of law that is uncertain and requires clarification, or
● a specific case relating to an important right affecting a sector of the community.
Our key focus areas of law are employment law (employees only, not employers), refugee rights, elder law and disability law, however we may also assist with other public interest issues.
If you are unsure, please submit an application and we will let you know if we are able to assist.
Federal Self Representation
Provides legal help across some matters in NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania who have a case at Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court, or are considering starting or defending a case in these courts. We are currently only able to assist where their legal issue is one of the following:
● employment law (assistance available for employees, not employers)
● bankruptcy (assistance available for those who have had bankruptcy proceedings started against them, or are considering voluntary bankruptcy)
● federal discrimination law, and
● some types of judicial review hearings.
The service usually provides single pieces of advice via appointments, as well as legal information. In some circumstances the service may recommend and facilitate full representation.
Seniors Law
Focuses on helping people experiencing elder abuse or are otherwise vulnerable and have legal issues associated with aging.
We provide older Australians who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer with free legal help, and we integrate lawyers within certain services they use in order to identify legal needs. For example, we send lawyers to health services to help identify whether older clients may be experiencing a legal issue as well as their health issue.
All applications are initially processed by our Public Interest Law Service, however sometimes our specialist seniors team will take on the matter. Clients can also receive assistance through our Public Interest Law Service and our network of pro bono lawyers.
Domestic Building Legal service
Assists clients in a dispute with their builder in Victoria, where the VCAT process can be burdensome and costly. For those who can’t afford the legal help they need, our Domestic Building Legal Service may be able to help.
Homeowners need to meet eligibility criteria to access one-on-one legal assistance, however the service can provide information and resources to most homeowners with domestic building disputes.
Visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/ for more information.