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Legal advice

Community legal centres for students studying in Australia

Victorian Legal Aid

Free legal advice can also be provided through the Victorian Government Legal Aid service. For details visit http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Springvale-Monash Legal Service and Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service

In partnership with local municipal councils and Victoria Legal Aid, the Faculty of Law is involved with two community legal centres, where legal assistance is provided free to students and staff of Monash University and members of the public. The centres provide help with criminal prosecutions, neighbour disputes, car accidents, traffic prosecutions, tenancy disputes, family and social welfare problems, debt, contract and other problems.

At both Legal Centres, regular consulting sessions are staffed by senior law students enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws units `Professional practice' and `Advanced professional practice', under the supervision of a faculty staff member who is a legal practitioner. These students take responsibility for clients' files and initiate action where required. They may also represent clients in court under a supervised student appearance scheme. This blend of learning and service in law provided at Monash was the first of its kind in Australia and has acquired a national and international reputation.

Springvale-Monash Legal Service

Springvale-Monash Legal Service (founded 1975) operates in tandem with the Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau. The largest legal service in Victoria in terms of numbers of clients assisted, Springvale-Monash Legal Service has also built up a reputation for community development work and innovative public interest law activities.

Monash students conduct intake sessions on Monday to Friday mornings and Monday evenings. In addition, `Advanced professional practice' students, along with volunteers staff the joint sexual assault clinic. This client commenced as an initiative of the legal service and the South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault.

Monash-Oakleigh Legal service

Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service, located since 1979 on the perimeter of Monash University's Clayton campus, grew from a student service to become a major provider of legal assistance to citizens of what is now the City of Monash, and the wider community. The service provides legal advice and assistance to students, staff and the general community, on a broad range of matters including powers of attorney, criminal and traffic charges, civil disputes, neighbourhood disputes, motor vehicle accidents, and simple family law matters. The Legal Service can make referrals, brief barristers, and apply for legal aid. It can also in some limited instances provide representation at court. The service does not provide advice in relation to probate, taxation issues or planning, as well as certain other areas of law.

The service is free to students and members of the community who cannot afford to pay for legal assistance. Students and staff are encouraged to use the service.

You will need to make an appointment. You can do this either in person at 60 Beddoe Avenue, Clayton (just outside the south-western corner of the Clayton campus) or by telephoning +61 3 9905 4336, Monday to Friday, between 9 am and 1 pm and between 2 pm and 5 pm. Client interviews are conducted most days and evenings, and appointments are scheduled every half hour during session times.

The Family Law Assistance Program (FLAP) also operates out of 60 Beddoe Avenue, Clayton. It provides advice and assistance to members of the community in relation to contested family law matters, an appointments are available from Tuesday to Friday. On Mondays the program allows for a duty solicitor service at the Family Law Court and Federal Magistrates Court in Dandenong. Appointments can be made by telephoning +61 3 9905 4339.

Further information