NCJ Number
63245
Journal
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 427-450
Date Published
1978
Length
24 pages
Annotation
RESULTS ARE REPORTED FROM AN ANALYSIS OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED AND CLIENTS SERVED BY ONE OF THE FIRST VOLUNTARY LEGAL SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA--THE FITZROY LEGAL SERVICE IN MELBOURNE.
Abstract
THE FITZROY LEGAL SERVICE OPERATES IN AN INNER SUBURBAN AREA WITH A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF TENANTS, MIGRANTS, ABORIGINES, STUDENTS, AND WORKING CLASS PEOPLE. PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SERVICE, ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THESE GROUPS HAD POOR ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES. FITZROY AIMS AT INVOLVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN ITS OPERATIONS, AND CLIENTS PARTICIPATE IN SOLVING THEIR PROBLEMS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE SERVICE'S ATTORNEYS ACT AS RESOURCES TO BE USED RATHER THAN AS THE CENTRAL FORCE IN CONTROLLING AND DEFINING THE SERVICE TO BE GIVEN. THE SERVICE OPERATES WITH ABOUT 70 VOLUNTEERS--LAWYERS AND NONLAWYERS--WHO WORK EVERY WEEKNIGHT FOR 4 HOURS. THE WORK IS COORDINATED BY A PAID DAYTIME STAFF WHOSE SALARIES COMPOSE THE LARGEST EXPENDITURE ITEM. THE RECORD CARDS USED TO COMPILE THE STUDY DATA PROVIDED INFORMATION ON THE CHARACTERISTICS AND BACKROUND OF EACH CLIENT AND ON THE FINANCING OF SERVICES, A DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM, A DESCRIPTION OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED, AND THE OUTCOME. FROM ITS INCEPTION IN DECEMBER 1972 THROUGH DECEMBER 1976, FITZROY DEALT WITH ABOUT 10,000 CASES. THE SERVICE HAS RECEIVED MUCH USE BY THE TARGET POPULATION--MIGRANTS, RENTERS, PENSIONERS, THE UNEMPLOYED, AND LOW-INCOME YOUNG ADULTS. THE COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PER CASE HAS AVERAGED $4. THE VOLUNTARY SERVICE SHOULD RECEIVE CONTINUED FUNDING FOR PAID STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. ALL LEGAL AID ORGANIZATIONS WOULD FIND IT HELPFUL TO MONITOR THEIR ACTIVITIES IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO FITZROY'S. TABULAR AND GRAPHIC DATA ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)