LEGAL HELP
We have a team of lawyers who specialise in child protection, domestic violence, and family law. The team understands the system was not built by or for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, so we aim to navigate the justice system in a culturally grounded way that upholds our legal obligations.
WHAT IS LEGAL HELP?
First Nations women engage with the law in many different ways. Some legal systems create a roll-on effect. For example, a DV incident may trigger a notification to child protection. We give legal help that knows the intersection between the person and the systems.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING SUPPORT
Support from our client support and paralegal team to help you navigate your legal matters
REFERRALS AND INFORMATION
We can help you get in touch with another service or provide you some ideas about available services
LEGAL INFORMATION
A yarn with any of our team about the system or general legal options not specific to your situation
LEGAL ADVICE
An appointment in person, by phone, or teams with a lawyer to help you with your specific legal matter
REPRESENTATION
We can attend meetings, mediations and court as your legal representative
WHEN DO YOU NEED OUR LEGAL HELP?
Legal help looks different for everyone. These are examples of when you might need our help with child protection, domestic violence or family law.
Examples of other civil law matters we might be able to help you with, or at least help you navigate could be human rights and discrimination, victims compensation, blue card, powers of attorney.
We might be at court as Duty Lawyer and can represent you just on the day of your court listing. If you are still unsure, please give us a call. We are happy to yarn and help where we can.
WHEN MIGHT YOU NEED A LAWYER FOR A CHILD PROTECTION MATTER?
- When you become aware of a notification
- When the police have said they are going to involve child safety
- When a support service has contacted you involving your children
- When you have been served an application from the department of child safety
- When there are investigations ongoing for your child/ren
WHEN MIGHT YOU NEED A LAWYER FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MATTER?
- When you are impacted by domestic violence or coercive control and want to know your options for protection
- When the police give you a Police Protection Direction (PPD)
- When you have a domestic violence order (DVO) and want to change the conditions
- When you breach a DVO this is a criminal matter see FAQs
WHEN MIGHT YOU NEED A LAWYER FOR A FAMILY LAW MATTER?
- When you are separating or thinking about divorce you share a child with someone you are not in a relationship with
- When you are a grandparent wanting to see your grandchildren
- When you want to confirm the paternity of your child for child support
- When you want to relocate with your children but the other parent disagrees
REASONS WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU
- We do not practice the area of law for example, Criminal Law.
- We have a conflict of interest and are not the best option for you to get quality legal help.
- Our team is smaller than the number of enquiries we are getting. In this case, we will try to assist you to get the help you need.
HOW DO YOU GET OUR LEGAL HELP?
We deliver services by phone and regularly visit communities to make legal help more accessible for those who may otherwise be unable to reach us.
CONTACT
Call us or submit an enquiry online. We’ll ask a few questions to understand your situation and how we can help.
INTAKE
Our intake team will get your info. Everything you tell us stays confidential.
RESPONSE
You will get a response from our Legal Team
SERVICE
IF A LAWYER CAN HELP The legal team will give you legal help through info, advice, support and representation
REFERRAL
IF A LAWYER CANNOT HELP The team will give you support, info and referrals
MAKE A DONATION
All donations go towards outreach, community development and creating resources. We reach more women, families and communities when more people give.