The Student Legal Service will re-open its doors to all members of the community seeking legal advice today (Tuesday 4March 2014).
The Student Legal Service provides free, confidential legal advice and referrals to people who may otherwise be unable to consult a lawyer.
The Student Legal Service hopes to assist to reduce the current pressurelegal services’have in keeping up with the demand for legal advice.
Mary Paterson, a practicing solicitor from Women’s Legal Service, says she has noticed the high demand for legal services in the community.
“The Women’s Legal Service phone advice line is always busy. It is good to have more services available that can assist people who need free legal advice.”
President Aarthi Chrissie Anandan saysthe Student Legal Service is an important community service as it provides legal advice to both students and the wider Tasmanian community.
“SLS provides free and confidential legal advice on common issues such as tenancy and workplace disputes. We also give law students a chance to gain some practical experience dealing with real clients while they are still at University.”
MsPaterson and Pauline van Adrichem, from Women’s Legal Service, supervise students in theStudent Legal Serviceadvice sessions. Ms Paterson and Ms van Adrichemrecognise the importance of SLS as it offers students a valuable opportunity.
“SLS has a lot more clients than it used to have. It has changed from a referral service to a service where the student has the opportunity to sit down with clients and meet real people,” says Ms van Adrichem.
Ms Anandan says that she is excited for the re-openingpeople continued to show interest in the service even over the summer when Student Legal Service was closed.
“The rising cost of legal services means that many members of the community cannot afford legal advice.SLS plays an increasingly important role in providing access to legal advice in Hobart.”
The Student Legal Service is operated by senior law students and supervised by practising solicitors from the Tenant’s Union, Women’s Legal Service and the Environmental Defender’s Office.
To make an appointment, please call 62262847 or email [email protected].
For more information please contact Aarthi Chrissie Anandan on 0421284647, Christie Cox-Haines on 0400508389 or Mary Paterson and Pauline van Adrichem at [email protected].
Aarthi Chrissie Anandan, Christie Cox-Haines, Mary Paterson and Pauline van Adrichem
