Victorian Legal Aid Staff
The idea of legal aid goes back more than 100 years in Victoria. [3] The Commission is responsible for ensuring that Victoria Legal Aid achieves its statutory objectives and carries out its functions and obligations under the Legal Aid Act, 1978. It has a president and six directors appointed by the Attorney General of Victoria and appointed by the governor. At least one member must have experience in financial management; at least one person must have experience in public administration; At least one person must have experience in criminal proceedings (either as a lawyer or bailiff) and at least one person must have experience in other areas of the legal practice practised by Victoria Legal Aid or its agents. When the position of VLA`s CEO was changed to CEO in November 2018, there was a vacancy on the Board of Directors. This position has since been held by Andrew Saunders. The Chief Executive Officer cannot be appointed to the Board of Directors. [2] Victoria Legal Aid (VLA), formerly the Legal Aid Commission of Victoria, is an organisation that provides information, legal advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems. [2] The quickest way to get help from us is to search for legal answers or use our online chat. 310 Mid-Continent Plaza, Suite 420 West Memphis, AR 72301 (870) 972-9224 ext. 2205 vfrazier@arlegalaid.org Office 365 WebAccess allows employees to access their Victoria Legal Aid mailbox from any computer connected to the Internet. Before 1928, only prisoners or very poor people could apply to the Supreme Court for legal aid.
In 1928, the government created the Office of the Public Advocate to make legal aid more accessible. People were eligible if they did not own property worth more than £50. As more and more people learned about legal aid, the demand grew. This has resulted in a backlog of cases in the Public Prosecutor`s Office. In order to provide more legal aid, the Victorian Government passed the Legal Aid Act 1961, which established the Legal Aid Committee. This committee was led by the legal profession. Victoria Legal Aid maintains an in-house advocacy practice to ensure it has a thorough and practical knowledge of the needs and challenges of the jurisdictions in which legal aid services are provided. The primary mission of Victoria Legal Aid Chambers (Chambers) is to provide high-quality advocacy to solicitor-assisted clients in civil, criminal and family, juvenile and children`s rights matters, and to conduct strategic litigation to resolve a legal issue or change a policy or process for the benefit of an individual client and the wider community.
[2] They prioritize intensive legal services such as legal advice and representation for those who need it most. They also recognize the links between legal and social issues and advocate for change. [2] In 1969, the state government passed a new law. This Act transferred the competence of the Legal Aid Committee for Civil and Small Criminal Cases and the competence of the Prosecutor General for serious criminal cases. In 1974, the Commonwealth Government established the Australian Legal Aid Office. This office provided legal assistance in federal law matters such as family law and bankruptcy. The Australian Legal Aid Office also assists persons for whom the Commonwealth has special responsibility, such as welfare recipients and members of the armed forces. Victoria Legal Aid helps people resolve family disputes to create safe, convenient, parent- and care-friendly arrangements.
They also help parents build their ability to resolve future disputes without legal counsel. They contribute to the safety of adults and children affected by family violence and help reduce the incidence of family violence by providing legal information, advice and representation. [2] jcamerlingo@arlegalaid.org (870) 972-9224, ext. 4327. The Victoria Legal Aid Commission (LACV) was established in 1978 as an independent statutory body. LACV has taken over the functions of the Australian Legal Aid Office, the Legal Aid Committee and the Office of the Lawyer. The LACV had a broader role than the Legal Aid Committee and the Public Prosecutor`s Office. Its tasks included legal training in the Community and legal reform. The LACV had an 11-member Board of Directors, which included representatives from municipal legal centres, social welfare groups and the legal profession.
VLA has a Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, three large in-house law firms, an in-house advocacy team, and legal and corporate support functions. [2] VLA also manages funding for community legal centres in Victoria by the Commonwealth and the state government. Community Law Centres (CLCs) are independent community organizations that provide free advice, intervention and legal education to their communities. VLA manages funding for the majority of CLCs in Victoria and the Federation of Community Legal Centres through the CLC Funding Program and ensures that the centres meet their service agreements. It also focuses on supporting the professional development of the sector through joint training initiatives. Visit our website for legal information and your options. Popular topics include: Phone 1300 792 387 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays for free information and help on the law.
You can also contact us in your language. Go to the intranetexternal link and log in with yourusername@vla.vic.gov.au and your password. We have 15 offices in metropolitan Victoria and the Victoria area. We also offer services in many courts, courts and other locations in Victoria.