The Walk for Justice turns 5

 

11 May 2024

The Walk for Justice turns 5

Next week of hundreds of lawyers, judges, politicians and other Victorians will rise at the crack of dawn to walk in the Public Interest Law Clearing House VIC (PILCH) Walk for Justice.  The walk begins at State Parliament, winds through the CBD and ends at the County Court. 

The money raised will be used to help PILCH provide free legal services to disadvantaged Victorians – including asylum seekers, people experiencing homelessness, seniors and small community organisations.

The Walk for Justice is in its fifth year and is a part of the Victoria Law Foundation’s Law Week.  Last year’s walk raised $9,000.

“Lawyers have a long-standing commitment to providing free legal advice and representation, and we’re committed to helping those who can least afford legal advice,” said PILCH Executive Director Fiona McLeay.  “We are seeing a rise in demand for our services – and pro bono lawyers can help to meet that need.

“Our work with asylum seekers is on the rise, but money for services like ours is drying up.  There are hundreds of asylum seekers with legitimate claims of fear of persecution in their home country.  Many have had their initial application rejected – often due to an error by the person reviewing their claim.  Our role is to ensure they get a fair hearing,” said Ms McLeay.

PILCH recently helped an Iranian family challenge their rejection for refugee status.  The possibility of being returned to Iran caused the family a lot of stress.   It was found that there was an error in their initial assessment and the Karamis* are now able to stay in Australia.  

“My child and myself both have identities now because when my child was born she never received any IDs or anything – now she can have one and I can have one,” said Fatemeh Karami*.

Walkers this year include:

  • The Hon Chris Maxwell, President of the Court of Appeal 
  • The Hon. Michael Rozenes QC, Chief Judge, County Court of Victoria
  • The Hon Adam Bandt, Deputy Leader of the Greens
  • The Hon Andrew McIntosh, Minister for Corrections, Victoria
  • The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC, Federal Member for Isaacs

When: Tues 15 May 2012, 7:30am; Where: From Parliament House finishing at the County Court on William Street; Cost: $20.00 for individual walkers, $10.00 for students and $180.00 per team of 10. Website: www.walkforjustice.org.au/melbourne  

* Names have been changed