PILCH NSW
Amy Kilpatrick, PILCH NSW Executive Director
Even though PILCH in NSW is the oldest sister in the PILCH family, it is still the smallest. However, we have been very busy growing up this year! Since the beginning of 2008, PILCH in NSW has grown significantly and expanded its work. Referrals through the clearing house have increased by over 55% on last years figures; a number of new projects have been researched; a strategic planning session has been held with a five year plan established; key stakeholders have been engaged; strong referral networks are in place and the organisation now has a number of key public documents along with an internet presence (www.pilchnsw.org.au). We also have a new logo which reflects our mission statement and aims and objectives, ‘bridging the justice gap'.
It has been a privilege to be the first full-time and independent Executive Director of PILCH. There are as many opportunities as challenges in this role. This coming year will build on the strong momentum of 2008 to transform our service into a strong, courageous peak public interest organisation. Working with our sister services to form a strong collective voice for social justice and promoting pro bono has already been a highlight!
Visit the PILCH NSW website
QPILCH
Tony Woodyatt, QPILCH Executive Director
Since QPILCH's inception in 2002, it has expanded rapidly taking on a range of activities to more broadly access the resources and goodwill of the Queensland legal profession. Important achievements during 2007-2008 have been the establishment of the Self-Representation Civil Law Service (SRCLS) and Refugee Civil Law Clinic (RCLC) and the expansion of our Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic (HPLC).
Self-Representation Civil Law Service
Established in October 2007, this new service is part of the accessCourts initiative that was launched by the Queensland Attorney-General in December 2007. Operating from the Brisbane Law Courts Complex, the SRCLS is based on best-practice research undertaken by QPILCH and QUT and provides free advice to self-represented litigants in civil law matters in the Supreme and District Courts' trial divisions and in the Court of Appeal. Although it is still a developing program, the SRCLS assisted 86 litigants in the first seven months of operation to 30 June 2008, and has processed 75 applications in the first three months of 2008-2009. The service is run by a QPILCH solicitor and paralegal and is supported by volunteer lawyers from 12 member law firms and a panel of barristers and retired practitioners.
Refugee Civil Law Clinic
Staffed by volunteer lawyers from Corrs Chambers Westgarth, the RCLC has enjoyed a productive and successful first year after being launched in August 2007 by the Queensland Chief Justice. The Clinic has assisted 38 clients in the areas of debt, administrative law, insurance, consumer/trade practices, criminal and family. Further initiatives expected to be launched by RCLC include legal education training for clients and caseworkers who support them.
Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic
The expansion of HPLC has seen a new clinic open in Toowoomba in September 2007 and three clinics in Townsville in May 2008. The Toowoomba clinic is supported by seven law firms and The Advocacy and Support Centre. The Townsville clinic has seven participating law firms and two CLCs assisting.
Visit the QPILCH website
PILCH Vic
PILCH's mission is to ‘promote law in the public interest.' At the heart of our work is a reassertion of the public interest as the pursuit of a society that promotes equality and justice, and over the last 12 months PILCH and has continued to champion these principles. In the last year, PILCH has facilitated pro bono legal assistance for over 1200 individuals and organisations. We have also established a number of new projects and services.
PilchConnect
PILCH established PilchConnect, Australia's first specialist legal service for not-for-profit and community organisations. In the last year, PilchConnect has conducted over 12 public seminars for not-for-profits, providing much needed education and understanding on legal and quasi-legal issues. PilchConnect is also about to launch a comprehensive online service providing not-for-profits across the country with the information and tools that they need to help them navigate a complex regulatory environment.
Public Interest Projects
The Public Interest Scheme has developed a number of new projects and concentrated its focus on particular thematic priorities. These priorities include the development of a Climate Change Justice Project encouraging collaboration across the profession on environmental and climate change law issues; an Indigenous project under which we have been investigating a number of stolen generation claims and providing legal assistance to indigenous community organisations; and PALS@PILCH - a pro bono animal law referral service seeking to improve protection for animals and consumers through strategic litigation, education and law reform.
Seniors Rights Victoria
In 2008, PILCH, in collaboration with its joint venture partners; the Council of the Ageing (COTA), Eastern Community Legal Centre and Loddon Campaspe Legal Centre, launched Victoria's first centre designed to protect and promote the rights of older people. For the next 3 years Victoria Legal Aid and the Department of Planning and Community Development will jointly fund Seniors Rights Victoria.
South Australia
Nicholas Linke, Partner, Fisher Jeffries
South Australia's JusticeLink SA Incorporated is working to establish a PILCH in South Australia in early 2009. The organisation has recently undertaken a comprehensive consultation process with firms, community legal services and other stakeholders and has ascertained a real need for a PILCH in South Australia. There has been fantastic support from the profession and the independent bar in South Australia for the concept, and the development of a PILCH in South Australia would appear to complete mainland Australia's roll out of the concept. JusticeLink SA has applied for funding from the Law Foundation of South Australia and expects an answer shortly in relation to its funding application. JusticeLink SA would like to thank the other Australian PILCHes for their invaluable ongoing advice and support in relation to its formation.