Ms Kim Cull, President, Law Society of NSW
17 June 2002
PARRAMATTA
Attorney General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
Access to legal services is the right of every member of the NSW community. It is disturbing that in a society that expects access to health services and medical assistance as of right, we do not seem to demand the same assistance and support where fundamental legal issues are involved. LawAccess is accordingly a significant step in the right direciton.
In order for members of the community to exercise their right to participate in the justice system, whether it be to assert a civil right or defend a criminal wrong, it is important that our justice system is seen to be and is understandable, accessible and fair. Access to legal information and advice is a vital component.
Law Society research shows that many in the community perceive the justice system to be seriously impeded by:
- cost
- delay
- a perceived lack of justice
- complexity and unnecessary formality; and
- uncertainty
Many of these factors impact most particularly on the disadvantaged in our community, including persons with limited income or who are unemployed or whose knowledge of English makes it more difficult to understand the details of particular legal requirements and remedies available to them.
Responsibility to address these issues and ensure that our legal system promptly and properly serves our community lies not only with the courts and legal practitioners but also State and Federal governments.
The legal system, and particularly the systems for resolving disputes, is a valuable and integral part of the framework and fabric of our society.
Those who design, work in and fund the legal system are responsible for its performance and its delivery of services. That is why the LawAcess initiative is both an exciting and important step in the provision of legal services in this State. The partnership between the government, the legal profession through the Law Society, Bar Association and Legal Aid Commission, together with community groups, demonstrates how a co-ordinated, creative approach can result in a functioning vehicle to assist most particularly those more disadvantaged. From the Law Society’s point of view it also highlights the work undertaken by many lawyers to assist clients by the provision of “free” pro bono work and other forms of assistance.
Each of the proponents of LawAccess has its own continuing role to play. In the case of the Law Society, over 50% of callers are members of the public seeking legal information or legal advice. The Society will continue to provide a Solicitor Referral Service and a Pro Bono Scheme to persons requiring advice from private solicitors practising in specific areas of law, or who are located in particular areas of the State or who speak a particular foreign language.
As the name suggests, LawAccess should provide an effective central point of contact for members of the public to facilitate their access to the most appropriate legal or community service. The Society is most concerned to see that the public can readily obtain assistance without being “shunted” from one organization to the other. That is the genesis of this programme. The streamlined utilization of resources from each of the “joint ventures” in the programme will result in high quality referral and advice being provided at the first point of contact.
The Law Society applauds the Attorney General and his Department for co-ordinating LawAccess and for enabling greater access for legal assistance for the NSW public through a community focussed service. |  |
|