L11 - CLCs Flashcards
1
Q
What is a CLC?
A
- An independent, government-funded organisation that aims to provide free legal services for individuals, including providing legal information, advice, and ongoing assistance and representation
2
Q
Two types of CLCs
A
- Generalist
- Specialist
3
Q
What is a generalist CLC?
A
- Established in designated suburbs or local government areas to serve that community
4
Q
What is a specialist CLC?
A
- These are established a focus on a particular group of individuals in society that may be deemed vulnerable to receiving legal assistance
5
Q
What matters can CLCs assist with?
A
- Family violence and related protection orders
- Parenting arrangements
- Tenancy and housing issues
- Fines and infringements
- Employment
6
Q
3 types of assistance for the accused
A
- Free legal information (Online information is available, and handbooks and pamphlets in relation to common legal issues exist)
- Legal advice and assistance (They can provide face to face assistance or assist with wills, resolving neighbourhood disputes, and employment contracts)
- Ongoing casework (Eligibility requirements do exist, but some CLCs can provide casework or assistance for an accused0
7
Q
3 types of assistance for the victim
A
- Basic legal information (Depending on the generalist or specialist category and available online, printed or in handbooks)
- Legal advice and assistance (Could be online, on the phone, or face to face and can help with filling out forms or directing victims to the best organisations to help them)
- Duty Lawyers (Can assist with family violence protection orders and if they are available at the Magistrates Court, they can give free legal advice and representation on the day to family violence intervention order hearings)
8
Q
Strengths of CLCs + fairness
A
- The ability to receive legal support from professionals allows the emotional stress to be removed for victims, and they can therefore provide more accurate statements to the court
- High quality free legal support is available, which allows individuals to adequately participate in legal proceedings and present their case in the best light
9
Q
Weaknesses of CLCs + fairness
A
- They often cannot provide legal representation in court, which means that those without financial means must self represent
- They cannot provide assistance to all victims of a crime, meaning some victims may not be able to participate in the justice system
10
Q
Strengths of CLCs + equality
A
- They can provide interpreter services to ensure those from non-English speaking backgrounds can access legal assistance, ensuring substantive equality
- The basic legal information is free and available to everyone in who wants to participate in the justice system, making it formally equal
11
Q
Weaknesses of CLCs + equality
A
- The eligibility requirements for a Judy lawyer or legal representation are very strict, meaning very few individuals can gain access to this legal representation
- The majority of CLCs in Victoria are located in metropolitan Melbourne, with few centres in rural Victoria, which limits the ability of accused people to access or acquire these services
12
Q
Strengths of CLCs + access
A
- Specialist sale seats can provide tailored advice about specific areas of law increasing access by ensuring people are informed
- Victims are able to receive free legal assistance and support from CLCs that is specific to their case, such as assisting individuals with making applications or filing relevant documentation, ensuring engagement
13
Q
Weaknesses of CLCs + access
A
- They usually provide assistance for relatively minor criminal matters, meaning those with indictable offences are less likely to be able to engage
- CLCs are limited in their ability to facilitate access to legal resources and support due to a lack of funding.
