Issue 132: April 2019
Pro Bono in the News – April 2019
Below you can find articles of interest to the pro bono community that have been published since our last edition. Click through to read any news article in full.
You can also follow the latest news in pro bono from Australia and around the world by following the Centre on Twitter: @AusPBC.
AUSTRALIA
30 Under 30 finalists revealed
Lawyers Weekly – 26 March 2019
This year, 265 young lawyers across a broad range of firms, organisations and industries have made the finalist list, including 10 pro bono lawyers.
Leading Australian firms endorse Uluru Statement from the Heart
Australasian Lawyer – 23 March 2019
Eighteen of the nation’s top law firms have supported the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Baker McKenzie gives asylum seekers in Australia a boost
Australasian Lawyer – 23 March 2019
Baker McKenzie has expanded its partnership with the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) to give more support to people seeking asylum in Australia.
Youth justice advocates say procedures ‘akin to torture’ could be legalised in NT this week
ABC News – 20 March 2019
Changes to youth justice laws being pushed through NT Parliament this week have been labelled a blatant “arse-covering” attempt by advocates who say it will allow procedures akin to torture to be used against detainees.
New resource – Family Violence Law Help website
Legal Aid – 12 March 2019
National Legal Aid has launched Family Violence Law Help, a new website for people affected by domestic and family violence.
INTERNATIONAL
New Zealand Law Society – 22 March 2019
Canterbury lawyers have responded to the horrific terrorist attacks on the Christchurch Muslim community by calling for lawyers to offer pro bono services to families affected.
Legal Cheek – 22 March 2019
Errors by courts and judges that left a couple’s final divorce decree potentially void was exposed in a judgment from the former head of the family division, who slammed the state for “washing its hands” of the problem it created by not granting legal aid to the parties to resolve their case.
China: China standardizes legal aid for criminal matters
Global Times – 19 March 2019
China’s Ministry of Justice has issued a new national standard for legal aid for criminal matters in a bid to improve the quality of such services.
USA: “Mr. Pro Bono” opposes mandatory voluntary work
Mid Hudson News – 18 March 2019
New York State Bar Association President Michael Miller, who has the reputation as “Mr. Pro Bono” for all of his free legal services, is opposed to attempts by the state to make it mandatory.
USA: Trump Budget Seeks to Cut Off Legal Aid Group
Courthouse News Service – 18 March 2019
Among the cuts suggested in the budget President Donald Trump proposed last week is the elimination of a federally funded corporation that gives grants to civil legal aid programs, according to a document the White House released Monday.
Canada: Ontario asks federal government for $45-million to fund legal aid for refugees, immigrants
The Globe and Mail – 18 March 2019
Ontario Attorney-General Caroline Mulroney is calling on Ottawa to fully fund a $45-million provincial legal-aid program for immigrants and refugees in Tuesday’s federal budget.
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