Media Release

2 May 2012

For immediate release

Community Law in growth period

Community Law Centres around New Zealand advise nearly quarter of a million New Zealanders every year – more than the populations of Hamilton and Dunedin combined. At the launch of the Community Law website Community Law Chief Executive Elizabeth Tennet said she expected that number to grow in the coming year.

Community Law provides free lawyers for people who can’t afford them and who wouldn’t necessarily seek legal help. “In this financially lean period, when legal aid services are being restricted and people have less money to spend on lawyers, Community Law is more important than ever”, said Ms Tennet.

“I have seen the queues of people lining up to see a lawyer at the Wellington Community Law Centre and that queue can be up to 50 people long. These are people who might for example be facing family breakups or redundancy but can’t afford to engage a lawyer to help resolve them.

“By helping them Community Law benefits the individual, helps resolve family disputes, stops potential stress and violence, and can save the individual and family a lot of money. We also help to free up the legal system from costly interventions or court fees further down the track. Early advice and assistance often means a legal problem is sorted without going to Court and that saves the Government huge money.”

The Community law website is one of a suite of initiatives that Community Law is implementing to ensure access to legal information for everyone who needs it.

The aim of the website is to advise people of their rights and suggest what they can do to help solve their problem.

The website interface is designed to be accessible and welcoming for people who might be alienated by the law or intimidating legal institutions. The website clearly explains the work of Community Law, what people can expect when they go to a Community Law Centre, and how community lawyers are different from both private and legal aid lawyers.

Ms Tennet said that the more people understand the service and what Community Law offers the more demand there will be for the services. “Of course that result brings with it the challenge of meeting increased demand with the resources available. I know every one of our 26 centres around the country is committed to doing all they can to help those who need their services. In addition to the paid lawyers on staff they also draw on pro bono time from local legal firms”.

One of the firms that provides pro-bono time and support is Chapman Tripp and it was one of their lawyers, Linda Clark, who launched the website today.

Ms Clark former journalist, now Lawyer, said the Community Law network “ensures justice is available to all New Zealanders, irrespective of their income or special needs. That is a vital element of a healthy democratic society.”

The website was launched today at the YMCA, Community House, 84 Willis St, Wellington. Check it out at www.communitylaw.org.nz

ENDS

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