Legal Aid ACT has entered a partnership with the University of Canberra (UC) to provide a new, free legal assistance service on the UC Campus at Bruce.
Attorney-General, Gordon Ramsay launched the partnership saying Legal Aid lawyers would offer confidential legal advice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the University’s Student Central.
Director of Student Life at UC, Scott Pearsall said the on-campus presence of legal professionals would ease the burden on students and members of the local community who were dealing with legal issues.
“We know that university students commonly have a number of legal problems, including debt, residential disputes and employment issues,” Mr Pearsall said.
“This new service will provide timely and effective help for our students and enhance access to justice.”
Mr Ramsay said the service would provide students with legal support when they needed it.
“Starting university is an exciting time in the life of any student,” Mr Ramsay said.
“This legal clinic will make sure that students of UC get the support they need at this new, and at times challenging, stage of their lives.”
He said this initiative between UC and Legal Aid was a fantastic example of a collaborative approach to delivering legal services.
“The Government welcomes continued innovation around addressing legal needs in the ACT,” Mr Ramsay said.
Mr Pearsall said the service would operate alongside the wide range of existing student welfare services offered by the University.
“It will also potentially allow the University’s law students to undertake hands-on learning opportunities through internships and clinical programs,” he said.
