Meet our Board Chair Andrew Guy | Advocating for private toll road fine reform

View this email in your browser

Forward

27 September 2017 – Volume 136

News

We've been speaking up about the unfair system of toll road fines

Unpaid road toll fines are hurting many vulnerable Victorians.

Read more about why we and our partners in the legal assistance sector are using strategic advocacy and media to call for reforms to the private toll road fine system.

The changing face of lawyer/client interaction

Technology is changing the way lawyers interact with clients.

Read more about the changes in our Executive Director Legal Practice Katie Miller's LIV Law Institute Journal article.

Sentencing Advisory Council report confirms a system approaching crisis

A report released this week by the Sentencing Advisory Council confirms a significant increase in bail-related offences, which we say is contributing to pressure on the criminal justice system.

Read more about our response to the report.

Fighting for safe housing

The State Government is reviewing the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and the outcomes will affect more than one million Victorians who rent properties across the state.

Our Acting Manager Strategic Advocacy Damian Stock wrote an article for the Law Institute of Victoria’s Young Lawyers Journal. He explains how we used a combination of litigation, submissions and strategic advocacy to clarify and extend the right to safe housing.

Read more about how we are advocating for safe housing.

People doing legal aid work

Privileged to lead a quality committed organisation

Our Board Chair Andrew Guy says his time at Victoria Legal Aid has given him a deeper understanding and appreciation of social justice, human rights and equality.

Read why he believes Victoria Legal Aid plays an important role in our society.

Panel practitioner updates

Further response to practising certificate fees review

We share the view of many in the profession that regulatory costs should be kept to an efficient minimum.

Read more about why we think it is important to strike a balance between proper regulation, and the effect of regulatory cost on the profession and consumers.

Community news and notices

Mental Health Week – 8 to 14 October

Mental Health Week aims to activate, educate and engage Victorians about mental health, through a week of interactive events across the state, including an official launch, community festivals, art exhibitions, music, theatre and seminars.

Read more at Mental Health Week.

Anti-Poverty Week – 15 to 21 October

Anti-Poverty Week encourages all Australians to organise or take part in an activity aiming to highlight or overcome issues of poverty and hardship in Australia or overseas.

Learn more about Anti-Poverty Week.

LIV Young Lawyers Charity Ball – 20 October

Put on a mask, don your finest evening wear and join your fellow LIV Young Lawyers at this flagship charity ball. The ball raises funds for the 'Acting on the Warning Signs health-justice partnership project' initiated by the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Inner Melbourne Community Legal Centre.

Read more at LIV Young Lawyers Charity Ball.

Health Justice Partnerships National Conference – 30 October to 1 November

The Health Justice Partnerships National Conference highlights the impact of legal problems on health and wellbeing, and showcase how bringing lawyers into health settings can help stop legal problems from harming people's health.

Read more about the conference program and how to register at Health Justice Partnerships National Conference.

If you have any community news that you would like included in this eNewsletter email editor@vla.vic.gov.au. Items will be published at the editor's discretion.

Connect with us on LinkedIn

This eNewsletter is authorised by Victoria Legal Aid, 570 Bourke Street Melbourne 3000.

Read previous editions of Legal Aid Brief | Subscribe | Update your subscription | Unsubscribe

Privacy statement: Your email address will be used only to send you information about Victoria Legal Aid. We will not share it with anyone. Your privacy is important to us. See our Privacy policy.