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The Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic (Clinic) is a joint project of the Public Interest Law Clearing House (Vic) Inc (PILCH) and the Council to Homeless Persons (CHP). It was established in October 2001 to provide free legal assistance to, and advocacy on behalf of, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The Clinic aims to use the law to reduce unfair and unjust treatment of homeless people, to construct sustainable pathways out of homelessness, and to promote fundamental human rights.
The Clinic provides civil and administrative legal services at crisis accommodation centres and welfare agencies so as to encourage direct access by clients. Host agencies include Melbourne Citymission, The Big Issue, St Vincent de Paul Society, the Salvation Army, Anglicare, Urban Seed, Hanover and Argyle Housing Service.
Services are provided by pro bono lawyers from participating law firms and legal departments, including Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson Waldron, Clayton Utz, Hunt & Hunt, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Minter Ellison, Phillips Fox and the National Australia Bank Ltd Legal Department. Each firm is responsible for the provision of services at one or two host agencies on a weekly basis.
In addition to providing legal services, the Clinic seeks to identify the range of legal issues facing homeless people, identify gaps in the delivery of services, and conduct advocacy regarding relevant law reform and social policy issues.
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness and need free legal assistance, please click here.
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