Geelong Community Legal Service Inc.

A free and independent community service for people who live or work in the Geelong/Barwon region - including Colac, Lara,Queenscliff, and the Surf Coast.

General Legal Service - assisting with your legal problem

Geelong Community Legal Service Inc. provides free legal advice, information, referrals and assistance to people in the Geelong Barwon region which includes Colac, Lara, Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast.

Anyone who lives, works or studies in the region and needs general legal advice may contact our Telephone Advice Service, or make an appointment to attend either our Monday Night Information and Advice service or Student Clinic.

The general legal service can provide advice in the following areas of law:

• Family Law
• Intervention Orders
• Criminal Law
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Debts
• Traffic offences
• Neighbourhood Disputes
• Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Other matters

Ongoing casework assistance is provided to eligible clients in some matters. Generally this is following an initial discussion with either the telephone advice service or the night information and advice service.

Telephone Advice General Legal Service

Ring 5221 4744 - BY APPOINTMENT - Monday & Thursday - 10.00am to 12 noon

To make an appointment call GCLS on the above number during office hours.

Monday Night Information & Advice Service

Monday: 6.00pm to 8.00pm

While it is not necessary to make an appointment, we suggest you telephone the service before attending as places are limited.

Student Clinic

Tuesday morning by appointment

This is a free service staffed by law students from Oeakin university and supervised by our Principal Solicitor. Eligible clients may be assisted with ongoing matters. This service is by appointment only. Telephone 5221 4744.

What is a community Legal Centre

IT IS

• Managed by members of the community
• Independent
• Free
• Committed to protecting legal rights and helping people understand their legal obligations
• Concerned to make the law and the legal system accessible to those to whom it is not accessible
• Concerned to make the law and the legal system fair and equitable
• Able to provide information, advice and referrals to the community.

IT IS NOT

• A private law practice
• Part of government legal aid
• Run for profit.

The Geelong Community Legal Service aims to assist individuals, groups and organisations who are disadvantaged in their access to justice through the provision of information, advocacy and
education in relation to legal and administrative processes; and to work with clients and our communities to improve access to the legal system, promote the enforcement and enhancement of legal rights, and contribute to change of structural inequities which limit access tojustice.

Welfare Rights Service

The Welfare Rights Service is completely independent of Centrelink, and provides assistance with appealing Centrelink decisions, pension and benefit claims, making complaints and other Social Security matters.

Child Support Service

The Child Support Services are independent and not part of the Child Support Agency. Assistance with a range of child support and maintenance matters is available for both carer and liable parents, including negotiating with the Child Support Agency, paternity issues, child maintenance and reviews..

Child Support Service for Carer Parent

The Child Support Service for Carer Parents offers advice and assistance for parents whose children live with them.

Child Support Service for Liable Parent

This service offers assistance in child support and maintenance matters to parents whose children do not live with them.

GCLS is funded by Victoria Legal Aid and the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department.

This information updated November 2003. (Reg. No. A 00090705)

GCLS Services:

General Legal Service
Phone advice: 52214744
Monday & Thursday 10.00 am-12 noon
By appointment

Monday Night Advice Service 6.00 p.m.

Child Support Service (Liable Parents)
Phone advice: 5221 4744
Wednesday 10.00 am-12 noon
By appointment

Child Support Service (Carer Parents)
Advice Line: 5229 0775
Tuesday & Friday 10.00 am-12 noon

Welfare Rights Service
Telephone advice: 5223 1232
Monday & Thursday 10.00 am-12 noon