The University will celebrate its ninth year of offering free legal advice through the Newcastle Legal Centre’s flagship summer program, Law on the Beach.

Since its inception in 2004, The University’s highly successful Law on the Beach program has helped hundreds of people by bringing free legal advice to them in a relaxed setting - the beach.

Each summer, under the supervision of the University of Newcastle Legal Centre's lawyers, students tackle legal issues including tenancy disputes, victims' compensation, discrimination cases, family law advice, wills, consumer matters and workers’ rights.

Law on the Beach is an annual program providing students with a hands-on learning opportunity. It is just one of the programs by the University of Newcastle Legal Centre providing free legal advice and assistance to the community.

Director of the Legal Centre, Shaun McCarthy, said the program had become an institution in Newcastle.

“It is uniquely Australian and a great way to get out to the community by offering free advice at the beach,” he said.

“It is often young people who face difficulties with getting appropriate legal advice in time, so we are particularly targeting this group in a relaxed, casual setting.”

The program has grown steadily since it began in 2004. Last year a record-breaking 110 clients sought advice during the five weekly sessions.

Law on the Beach will operate out of Newcastle Beach in the club room at the Newcastle Surf Blub in the southern end of the pavilion.

No appointments are necessary.

Clinic hours: 10am to 3pm

Dates: Wednesday 18 and 25 January and Wednesday 1, 8 and 15 February.

Contact information: Tess Campbell, Media and Public Relations Officer, 02 4921 8714.