Thursday, 16 June 2022
The Law Society of Western Australia and Law Access Ltd signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, as part of a three-year commitment by the Law Society to provide funding and ongoing support to Law Access Ltd, effective 1 July 2022.
Law Access matches applications for legal help from vulnerable and financially disadvantaged members of the community to lawyers and legal firms willing to provide their services free of charge.
As sole member and founder of Law Access Ltd, the Law Society makes a significant contribution to Law Access Ltd by providing a range of services at no cost under the current MOU. Following a review of the MOU by the Law Society Council and Law Access Board, the new MOU will provide a funding mechanism for “cash support” to Law Access Ltd from a minimum of $20,000 up to a maximum amount of $50,000 each year for the next three years.
In addition to the payment set out above, the Law Society will also make a one-off payment upon the commencement of this MOU to Law Access Ltd of $20,000.
Law Society President Rebecca Lee said, “Law Access provides a vital safety net for vulnerable Western Australians facing legal problems where no funded legal assistance is available. As the voice of the legal profession in Western Australia, the Law Society is proud to have established and to continue to support this valuable community service.”
Law Access Ltd Chair Matthew Howard SC welcomed the additional funding and support saying: “Law Access has grown significantly over the years, and legal assistance for those experiencing financial difficulties continues to be in high demand. Long-term and substantive funding increases are important to ensure access to justice for the vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our community.”
Photo above (l-r): Law Society President Rebecca Lee and Law Access Ltd representatives, Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC, Patron; Alana Dowley Chief Executive Officer; and Matthew Howard SC, Chair.
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For comment please contact:
Alana Dowley
Chief Executive Officer, Law Access
(08) 6488 8725
https://lawaccess.org.au/
Madeleine McErlain
Corporate Communications Manager
The Law Society of Western Australia
(08) 9324 8650
mmcerlain@lawsocietywa.asn.au
https://lawsocietywa.asn.au/
