Justice Project: People with Disability

This project has been endorsed by the Law Council of Australia.

More information about this project can be found here.

Priorities identified in the Justice Project Final Report


Priorities Identified in the Justice Project Final Report[i]:

  1. Increase funding for legal assistance services to ensure that they have adequate resources to meet the complex needs of people with disability, including through providing appropriate aids and adjustments and engaging in sustainable partnerships with disability advocacy organisations and disability support services.
  2. Provide free legal assistance and representation for people experiencing disadvantage at first instance hearings for applications under Guardianship and Administration and Mental Health legislation.
  3. Increase disability training, education and awareness raising initiatives for justice system personnel who are likely to have close contact with people with disability.
  4. Invest in accessible, disability-responsive and culturally appropriate support services and targeted prevention and early intervention approaches and programs.
  5. Embrace and formally recognise supported decision making.
  6. Address the intersectional needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing disability by developing informed and culturally competent responses throughout the criminal justice system.
  7. Review unfitness to stand trial laws and incorporate minimum safeguards, including:
    • limits on the period of detention;
    • regular and independent periodic review of detention orders;
    • access to judicial review for all decisions; and
    • access to stable, secure, individualised and culturally responsive non-custodial accommodation options.

Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool Summaries

National

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

New South Wales (NSW)

Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In New South Wales,  please contact Justice Connect

Northern Territory (NT)

Queensland (QLD)

Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In Queensland,  please contact LawRight

South Australia (SA)

Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In South Australia,  please contact JusticeNet SA

Tasmania (TAS)

Victoria (VIC)

Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In Victoria,  please contact Justice Connect

Western Australia (WA)

Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In Western Australia,  please contact Law Access

[i] The Justice Project Final Report published by the Law Council of Australia (Aug 2018) can be found here.