Media Release

22 July 2009

Lawyers roll up their sleeves, pick up their suitcases and head out into the community

Community lawyers from the Wellington Community Law Centre can now be seen in various suburbs and community centres around Wellington. The travelling ‘Suitcase Clinics’ are the culmination of several years research and planning, begun after the release of the Legal Services Agency’s Wellington Regional Legal Needs Assessment in 2005. With reference to Wellington, the Needs Assessment stated that “some 29,000 people reside in ‘high need’ areas to the east and south of the city”. Research indicated that clusters of vulnerable groups in these areas were more likely to need on-site legal assistance.

The Suitcase Clinics are aimed at residents of City Housing and their surrounding communities. This includes members of the community who because of their income level, ethnicity or disability status might face barriers in accessing legal advice. The rising costs of public transport and inner city parking, as well as social isolation, also make it increasingly difficult for people to access other free legal advice available in the inner city.

At each Suitcase Clinic, community lawyers will be available to provide legal advice free of charge. No appointments are necessary. The Suitcase Clinics are now operating at the following venues,

Level 2, 84 Willis St

Wellington

ends

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