Legal Information Online
9 July 2001 at 1:07 pm
Australian Law Online, is a new web site and free national telephone hotline that the federal Government says will make it easier for Australians to solve their legal problems.
Australian Law Online is the Howard Government’s $6.1 million Law by Telecommunications initiative to provide a gateway to legal information and assistance, such as counselling, mediation and other forms of dispute resolution.
The Family Law Hotline and Family Law Online web site are the first two elements of Australian Law Online, which are available to the public.
The hotline provides information for people dealing with the family law system on topics as diverse as counselling, mediation and other forms of dispute resolution, how the Family Court operates, adoption, family violence, divorce and relationships outside marriage.
Call centre operators will not provide specific legal advice. Callers who need specific legal or other advice about their own cases will be directed to professionals in their local area who may be able to provide further assistance, such as counsellors or legal advisers.
Operators based in Bunbury, Western Australia, and Traralgon, Victoria, will have a database of family law information at their fingertips to respond to queries nationally Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm.
The toll free number is 1800 050 321. Alternatively, people will be able to access the database via the Family Law Online web site at www.law.gov.au.
Both the hotline and web site are aimed at helping people identify the best way to solve their family law problems. As well, the services will provide information about alternatives to litigation that, in some cases, may prove to be cheaper and result in a more positive outcome for all parties.
The Attorney General’s office says Australian Law Online is being continually refined and developed, with more improvements later in 2001. This includes an enhanced telephone hotline service for people living in designated rural and remote areas. This service will provide general legal information and basic legal advice. In addition, a comprehensive online directory of Commonwealth, State and Territory legal resources will also be made available on the web site.
If you want to comment about this new service why not have your say at our web site Forum at probonoaustralia.com.au.
