We have a big vision at PILCH - a legal system that is fair and open to everyone.

Our part in that is providing access to justice through pro bono. This year, we've continued to work to achieve our vision through three areas of focus: responding to the legal needs of clients; improving laws and policies that cause or perpetuate disadvantage, and; continuing to inspire more Victorian lawyers and barristers to do pro bono work.

This edition of PILCH Matters includes some highlights of what has kept us busy this year, including responding to a surge in inquiries from asylum seekers and elderly people, advocacy for not-for-profit organisations, and supporting the growth and development of our member firms' pro bono programs. You can also read about PilchConnect's Nathan MacDonald and his fascinating study trip around the US.

We close out this year with the realisation that our ambition to respond to every need is not workable. We are loath to admit it, but have to concede that the access to justice 'gap' is just too large. With this in mind, we've worked to clarify and refine our response to unmet legal need across all of our programs. This is partly about efficiency, but mostly about focussing our energy on where we can make the big differences that have a real ripple effect in the community.

We've also joined forces to strengthen a vision of a fairer society. Following an historic decision at our AGM last month, it was resolved that PILCH Victoria and PILCH NSW will join forces to become one integrated pro bono organisation serving both states. The integration will enable us to work more effectively within the changing pro bono landscape, and means we can present a single entry point for access to pro bono services in Australia's largest states.

With the support and energy of our partners and supporters we are confident that we can fulfil the promise of the new organisation. We look forward to connecting, serving and working together in 2013.

Wishing you a safe and happy New Year,
Fiona McLeay, PILCH Executive Director

Related
2011-12 Annual Report
Media release - PILCH Victoria and PILCH NSW integration

It has been another very busy year at PILCH! Here are just a few highlights.

Strengthening Pro Bono Culture

• Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic's 'Front Door': We delivered a number of major projects which demonstrate our strategic approach to the legal needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our 1800 free call phone number is now the central access point - or 'front door' - for HPLC clinics, demonstrating our focus on easy access to our service.
• Access for asylum seekers: We worked closely with asylum seeker legal and social support providers, the Victorian Bar and our members to map legal need, build capacity, and secure access to justice for asylum seekers. We co-hosted the Migration Law Forum with VLA in September and have developed a migration service providers group to better coordinate between agencies.
• National surge of inquiries from elderly clients: We responded to a significant upswing in calls from elderly people with small shareholdings who were being sued by an unsolicited share purchasing company for repudiation of contract. We organised a group of passionate lawyers and barristers to share information and develop a coordinated response. Member firms and barristers assisted 16 clients to resolve these disputes on favourable terms.
• Seniors Rights Legal Clinic renewal: We renewed our focus on assisting vulnerable older people, and preventing and responding to elder abuse. As a result, SRLC lawyers have assisted with an increasing number of financial and property disputes. The SRLC also conducted a clinic in Shepparton, seeing 27 clients. Our lawyers also involved in policy and law reform work surrounding the issue of capacity and litigation guardians.
• PilchConnect helped culturally and linguistically diverse not-for-profit groups: We successfully adapted our content and expertise to deliver training on incorporation for culturally and linguistically diverse groups, using pictures and diagrams to help explain legal concepts, with the aid of a translator.

Law Reform

• PilchConnect in year of unprecedented law reform: We advocated for the not-for-profit sector at both State and Federal levels.In mid-2012 a new legislative framework for Victorian incorporated associations was finalised, and in late October the ACNC Bills passed Federal Parliament. PilchConnect has been significantly involved advocating for the not-for-profit sector in policy debates around these changes. Read PilchConnect's submissions here.
• PilchConnect's first ever Court appearance: In October PilchConnect was granted leave by the Supreme Court to appear as amicus curiae in an appeal brought by the Melbourne City Council. The Council was appealing a Magistrate's decision to release an offender without conviction on the condition they make a payment to a charity. The Council's submissions sought to end the historic sentencing practice of courts requiring offenders to make payments to charities, or into the Court fund for distribution to charities (known as the 'poor box') - a meaningful contribution to a charity. Listen to ABC's report here: ABC AM Program: Council seeks end to court ordered charity
• The Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic focussed on tenancies and fines: We worked closely with pro bono partners to help sustain tenancies and address the discriminatory impact of fines and infringements on our clients. Through our law reform activity we have identified the major issues with residential tenancy legislation and housing issues in Victoria.

Strengthening Pro Bono Culture

• We supported our members to grow and develop best practice pro bono programs: We convened a Costs Recovery in Pro Bono workshop, helped establish mentoring relationships between experienced and less experienced pro bono coordinators and provided input to emerging pro bono practices to help them get internal support for their programs.

• We promoted better health through legal advocacy: We ran the inaugural AdvocacyHealth Alliance Symposium and related events in partnership with Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre and La Trobe University, with the support and funding of Victoria Legal Aid, Baker and McKenzie and Clayton Utz. The project brought together more than 200 people from the health and advocacy sectors to discuss the application of the US medical-legal partnership model in an Australian context.The model sees advocates working in a health setting, working together with a health team to assist with legal issues that impact on health outcomes. 

What's next?

In 2013 and beyond, we look forward to:

• Enhancing our engagement with Community Legal Centres and other service providers, by targeted outreach, to improve referral pathways and develop collaborative and innovative ways to address unmet legal need
• Implementing our ambitious vision for the future of our HPLC service, outlined in the Strategic Direction paper we produced in early in 2012. The paper outlines guiding principles for the HPLC, including a renewed focus on specialist casework services, targeted advocacy and law reform, more holistic service and a diversified and flexible pro bono service delivery model.

This year marked the end of the initial three-year pilot phase of PilchConnect, PILCH's specialist legal service for Victorian not-for-profit organisations. With the future looking bright for PilchConnect, there is now an opportunity to take advantage of multi-year funding by exploring new and innovative ways to provide assistance and education to those organisations dedicated to supporting individuals and communities experiencing disadvantage or marginalisation.

In recognition of this opportunity, PilchConnect recently supported team member Nathan MacDonald to undertake a study trip in the United States in October and November. During his trip, Nathan visited a range of pro bono legal support services supporting not-for-profits, with the aim of observing and learning from organisations and clinics that have extensive experience advising and facilitating pro bono support for community organisations.

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