Taking law to the beach

Monday 10 January 2005

Beachgoers will be taking more than their swimmers and towels to the beach this summer; they're also being asked to bring along their legal matters for some free advice.

After the success of last year's Law on the Beach, the University of Newcastle Legal Centre will again move their free legal advice centre to the Club Room at the Newcastle Beach Surf Club Pavillion.

Principal Solicitor Shaun McCarthy says the Legal Centre functions as both a legal practice and a teaching facility that provides an intensive clinical placement site for students. The clinic at the beach will be run by students who are supervised by the Legal Centre's lawyers.

"We will be providing advice on a range of matters including everything from neighbourhood disputes to debt matters and family law issues," says Shaun.

"Last year's clinic saw people seeking advice on a large range of topics including tenancy, anti-discrimination matters and industrial issues."

"By putting the clinic on the beach we are trying to target young people by taking the law to them."

"There are major issues that some young people have that relate to their difficulties of living in today's world and unfortunately some young people may not get advice until it's too late. Often these issues concern their rights, their schooling, financial support and their housing," says Shaun.

The University of Newcastle Legal Centre operates as a community centre, providing free legal advice and assistance to members of the community in the Hunter region. The Centre operates to assist disadvantaged people, focusing on those with limited financial means or on matters in the public interest.

The clinic will run from 10am to 3pm on 12, 19 and 25 January 2005 and 2 and 9 February 2005 at the Club Room at the Newcastle Beach Surf Club Pavilion, Newcastle Beach. Appointments are not necessary for the clinic. People can simply just drop in.

For interviews: University of Newcastle Legal Centre Principal Solicitor, Shaun McCarthy on (02) 4921 8666.