Outreach Central Highlands Community Legal Centre (CHCLC) is committed to providing quality generalist legal services to vulnerable clients throughout the Grampians Region.
CHCLC provide face to face support to clients in Stawell and Ararat on a monthly basis as well as provide opportunities for telephone advice between outreach visits.
With the support of the Department of Justice and Regulation in Horsham and Ballarat, clients in Horsham and surrounding towns can be provided with legal advice via video-conference.
CHCLC has continued to provided legal services to Hopkins Correctional Services and HM Prison Langi Kal Kal once per month. Prisoners are seen for a variety of matters during these visits including family law, credit and debt matters and drafting of wills and Powers of Attorney.
Family Violence Duty Lawyer - Outreach The Community Legal Assistance Family Violence Duty Lawyer Fund provided by the Department of Justice and Regulation was rolled over into 2017 which enabled CHCLC to continue to provide a Family Violence Duty Lawyer service in Ararat and Stawell as well as any associated casework such as family law. This program provides for a duty lawyer service on all Ararat and Stawell sitting days and ensures that all Affected Family Members and Respondents have the option of representation rather than potentially one party only.
The Duty Lawyer has been available to meet with clients, provide advice and represent them in court. Where family violence matters may only be listed for half days, the duty lawyer can assist clients with preparation for contested matters such as preparing Further and Better Particulars and also follow up case work in relation to family law matters and victims of crime.