PILCH Reviews Legal Services to NFPs + New Consumer Law Courses
29 January 2007 at 10:37 am
The Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) is reviewing the pro bono legal services it currently provides to Not for Profit organisations and looking at what additional services it may be able to offer.
The review is now looking for feedback from NFP organisations.
What assistance do NFP organisations need? For example,
– would you find access to basic legal advice via a telephone and/or on-line service useful?
– are there any gaps – seminars, resources or other services we could offer so that your organisation could reduce the time spent trying to work out what its legal obligations are and how best to comply with them?
– are there any systemic legal issues that make it difficult for your organisation to do its work (eg, a standard form funding contract that has unreasonable clauses)
– would you be interested in a free legal ‘health check’ for your organisation?
PILCH needs feedback from the sector – it doesn’t matter if you have never used their services. Feedback can be provided either by:
– attending a lunchtime focus group on Tuesday, 6 February 2007, 1-2 pm. A free light lunch will be provided. The PILCH office is at Level 1, 550 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne (close to Flagstaff station). RSVP to Marlena, Ph 9225 6680, admin.pilch@vicbar.com.au
– Completing a 5 min. survey – it is available as a Word document by clicking here.
Please return completed surveys by email to Sue Woodward at policy.pilch@vicbar.com.au or hard copy by post to PILCH, PO Box 13121 Law Courts, Melbourne VIC 3000.
More PILCH…
PILCH in collaboration with La Trobe University’s Public Interest Law postgraduate program is offering three Consumer Law courses in the first half of 2007.
ISSUES IN PUBLIC INTEREST LAW (February 8-13) examines the growth and development of the concept and practice of public interest law and the varying interpretations of the term and its relationship to pro bono practice. Key legal, practical and ethical issues will be examined using topical case studies.
INQUESTS, INQUIRIES AND COMMISSIONS (February 15 – 20) uses a comparative approach to examining the coronial jurisdiction and other inquisitorial commissions and tribunals.
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND COMPARATIVE DISABILITY LAW (July 12-18) examines the developing relationship between disability discrimination law and international Human Rights Law.
The subjects are directly relevant for pro bono coordinators in law firms; lawyers working in the specific areas as well as lawyers and policy makers interested in the impact of law and policy on the public interest; criminal lawyers and community legal centre workers and those working in legal aid organizations wishing both to extend their skill base and to develop a theoretical framework for their public service work.
The units may be taken as part of a Master in Laws degree or individually as Professional Development units. Anyone interested in a unit should contact Senior Lecturer, Judith Dickinson (email: j.dickson@latrobe.edu.au).
The web link is: www.latrobe.edu.au/law/pubint
