Legal Help for CLCs, ATSILS and Legal Aid
What pro bono assistance is available?
Pro bono legal services can be used to support the work of community legal centres (CLCs), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) and Legal Aid by:
- Allowing you to refer complex matters which require different expertise or capacity
- Providing extra resources for your matter (for example, research, expertise, or representation from a barrister)
- Providing opportunities for partnership on specific projects or on a long-term basis
- Providing other expertise, training and resources.
I am looking for pro bono legal assistance for MY CLIENT
- You can refer clients to our Links to Legal Help page.
- A Pro Bono Referral Scheme or Organisation may be able to assist you to refer your client to appropriate pro bono assistance.
- Some law firms have well-established pro bono practices that may be willing to accept direct referrals. The National Law Firm Directory contains contact details and other information about the pro bono practices of Australian law firms that you can search by area of law (once you have registered for access to the Directory).
- If your client is an organisation, see our legal help page for Not-for-Profit Organisations.
I am looking for help with FINDING SUITABLE VOLUNTEERS
- You can advertise volunteer (and paid) opportunities at your organisation on the Centre’s Social Justice Opportunities website, provided that the opportunity is suitable for law students or early-career lawyers. This is a free service. Please contact us with the details of the role.
Where can I find more information?
For general information about how pro bono can assist your organisation:
- refer to our publication Pro Bono Partnerships and Models: A Practical Guide to What Works for practical tips on creating successful partnerships between CLCs and law firms, with examples
- contact us, or
- contact a pro bono referral scheme or organisation in your state or territory.
Please note that the Australian Pro Bono Centre is an independent centre of expertise on pro bono legal services. We do not provide legal assistance or operate a referral scheme.
Page last updated October 2024.