Queenslanders are still facing barriers when accessing basic legal help, according to the annual Access to Justice Scorecard run by the Queensland Law Society.
For the past five years, Queensland’s Access to Justice score has consistently hovered around 5 out of 10. Despite there being little movement since 2013, Bond University is hopeful its new partnership with LawRight can help address the problem.
LawRight is an independent not-for-profit that provides free legal services for individuals and community groups. Teaming up with Bond, they will be offering free legal advice to people who are not able to afford a lawyer or obtain legal aid.Â
People will be able to seek advice for property law, small businesses, and not-for-profits.
The Director of the Bond Law Clinic Program, Dr Francina Cantatore (Class of 2001), Associate Professor at Bond University, says the new partnership would help address access-to-justice barriers and give students real-world experience.
For those who cannot afford basic legal assistance, Dr Cantatore is hopeful that LawRight volunteer lawyers and Bondies can step in.
The clinics will include the LawRight Commercial Law Clinic and LawRight Property Law Clinic which will be based at the Bond University campus.
Bond law academics, student volunteers, and Gold Coast legal practitioners will staff the clinics. To request an appointment or to volunteer, please contact [email protected] or phone (07) 3248 1165.