CHCLC receives core State funding to provide a Family Violence Duty Lawyer Service at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court. Lawyers from CHCLC attend Court on Tuesdays for Police matters and Wednesdays for personal matters.
Duty Lawyers perform a number of functions including legal advice, negotiation between parties and/or their lawyers, police liaison and representation.
Throughout the reporting period CHCLC has attended 100 Court sitting days assisting more than 500 clients with advice and court representation.
The Family Violence Division at the Magistrates’ Court aims to make the process of applying for an intervention order easier, by having specialist support services at the Court to improve victim safety and provide assistance in overcoming the trauma that is caused by family violence. These services include:
Duty Lawyer services provided by Victoria Legal Aid and CHCLC
Family Violence Division Team within Victoria Police including Police Prosecutors
Applicant and respondent workers
Court network support
Gazetted Magistrates
Designated Family Violence Court Registrars
More information about the Ararat and Stawell program can be found on the Outreach page.