The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to ensuring all Tasmanians have access to justice.
In August I announced $1.6 million in grants distributed from the Solicitors’ Guarantee Fund.
I am pleased to announce a further grant of $300,000 to the Law Society of Tasmania, Centre for Legal Studies and Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania (LACT) to trial a new duty lawyer service around the state.
The service will provide assistance to clients in the Magistrates Court who would otherwise be unrepresented, and will significantly contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Magistrates Court.
The Law Society of Tasmania, Centre for Legal Studies, and LACT will collaborate to deliver the service in the Burnie, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart Magistrates Courts. The trial will involve:
The Hobart positions will be filled by recent graduates of the Centre for Legal Studies who can be employed either as graduates employed by a legal firm or by the Government.
The scheme will operate as a pilot program for 12 months, after which a review will occur to measure success and assess the efficiency of the scheme.