New Location for Free Legal Clinic

Community Law Hawke’s Bay have found an ideal spot for their weekly Napier clinic in Napier Family Centre offices in Onekawa making it easier for people to access the free legal clinic. The clinic is held Fridays and appointments can be made through the Family Centre reception. Mary Robertson is the senior solicitor on duty at this Friday Napier clinic.

Managing solicitor Jackie Pearse said, “Community Law is for all Hawke’s Bay people who are on low incomes and have an unmet legal need but fall outside of Legal Aid criteria. The Community Law Centre operates in many ways like a law practice and their solicitors like Mary can help people with legal advice and assistance in general law areas such as employment disputes, unfair contracts, problems with landlords, debt and consumer issues, medical law and family law.”

Kath Curran, CEO Napier Family Centre said “We are absolutely delighted that Community Law services are being offered from our premises and already it is proving a popular service. Many of our families need support in understanding their legal rights and our location in the suburbs has made it easier for people to access professional advice in a setting they feel comfortable.”

Both organisations have noted an increase in people seeking help who are working but finding it hard to make ends meet. “There’s a growing number of ‘working poor’ in our society who do not qualify for Legal Aid and we need to provide support for these families who would otherwise not be able to access professional legal services” said Jackie.

Kath added “We see families in our budgeting and family services whose household income relies on seasonal work and people deal with long periods in between jobs. When a family income varies weekly the household budget becomes really difficult to stretch outside of the bare minimum of rent, power and food. If families are outside of the criteria for Legal Aid then it is great to know that people have local access to this Community Law Clinic.”

Community Law Napier Clinic: Fridays 9am – 2.30pm venue: Napier Family Centre Corner Wycliffe St and Morris Spence Avenue Onekawa. Phone 843 7280 for an appointment.

You should be able to expect that your lawyer will:

• Give you clear information and advice

• Treat you fairly, respectfully and without discrimination

• Protect your privacy

• Act competently and do the work on time

• Follow your instructions

• Protect and promote your interests

• Discuss your objectives with you and how you can best achieve them

• Charge you a fair fee and let you know how and when you will have to pay (note that Community Law Centre legal advice is free of charge)

• Tell you about the work to be done, who will do it and how they will do it

• Keep you informed about the work being done and tell you when it is finished

• Let you know how to make a complaint and deal with any complaint quickly and fairly

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