https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma A discussion of the importance of the provision of legal representation for those who cannot afford their own with specific mention to Victorian Legal Aid, Community Legal Centres and the principles of justice. en-us 2019-02-24 10:27:55 UTC 2026-01-05 16:28:04 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png maccarf https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334549537 A statutory body set up with an act of parliament (Legal Aid Act 1978 Vic) who's objectives are to make legal aid available at a reasonable cost to the accused and on an equitable basis throughout Victoria. They also aim to provide the community with improved access to justice and legal remedies ]]> 2019-02-24 10:33:42 UTC https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334549537 maccarf https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334550269 Access is the principle of justice that refers to an individual's ability to understand and make use of the legal system. VLA and CLCs support this as it gives vulnerable individuals the opportunity to better understand their rights and the Victorian legal system in general by providing information and lawyers. HOWEVER, an eligibility test is required for an individual to qualify for legal aid, therefore making its services inaccessible to the entire Victorian population and specific to certain vulnerable individuals who must satisfy tests such as the income test and the means test]]> 2019-02-24 10:41:22 UTC https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334550269 maccarf https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334550905 Fairness is the legal principle that individuals should be treated with impartiality and without favouritism or discrimination. VLA and CLCs maintain this principle as vulnerable individuals are able to have their case brought before the case before the courts by a lawyer who will give them an equal chance in the case with their expert and experienced legal knowledge. Furthermore, the rule of law is upheld as the legal bodies recognise that vulnerable people may not have equal access to legal resources and thus provides them with the necessary services including free legal information, free legal advice, free duty lawyers and grants of legal assistance]]> 2019-02-24 10:48:27 UTC https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334550905 maccarf https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334551636 Equality is the legal principle that no person is considered to be better than or of higher status than another in the eyes of the legal system. For example, legal processes should be free from bias or prejudice. These legal institutions support the principle of equality as it gives vulnerable persons the equal opportunity to present their case in court where they otherwise may not have had the chance. They provide people with legal representation to those who cannot afford a private lawyer or those who do not have the right circumstances to access one]]> 2019-02-24 10:56:32 UTC https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334551636 maccarf https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334552242 CLCs or Community Legal Centres are independent legal organisations. They aim to provide free legal assistance to individuals. More specifically, basic legal information, initial legal advice, duty lawyer assistance and legal casework. There are 50 CLCs in Victoria and there are two types: generalist and specialist. Generalist CLCs provide services to people based on where they live. Specialist CLCs provide services based on a certain area of law or group of people. As an independent organisation, they receive funding from a range of sources including VLA]]> 2019-02-24 11:03:18 UTC https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334552242 maccarf https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334554860 CLCs assist people based on the type of case, the likelihood of success and whether or not other types of aid are available (such as VLA)]]> 2019-02-24 11:35:49 UTC https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334554860 maccarf https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334554966 VLA provide legal information to everyone as well as fact sheets about duty lawyers however legal advice, duty lawyers and grants of legal assistance are provided to those who meet the income test or the means test or to certain groups of individuals.]]> 2019-02-24 11:37:06 UTC https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334554966 maccarf https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334555287 An accused meets the income test if they are able to provide a current Centrelink or concession card to the duty lawyer. They are also able to meet the test if they sign a declaration which shows that they have limited income]]> 2019-02-24 11:40:28 UTC https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334555287 maccarf https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334555492 For people who are seeking a grant of legal assistance, in order to satisfy the means test, they must declare their other assets such as their car and house]]> 2019-02-24 11:42:19 UTC https://padlet.com/maccarf/q85pm43it8ma/wish/334555492