| Donations and Sponsorship |
 |  | | DONATE NOW - Online credit card donations via the secure engine of ourcommunity.com.au |
The Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House Incorporated (QPILCH) (ABN 52033 468 135) is an incorporated association (IA30188) and Public Benevolent Institution with endorsement by the Australian Taxation Office as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). QPILCH is also recognised by the ATO as an income tax exempt charitable entity and is registered as a charity under the Collections Act 1966 (Qld) (CHR1796).
As a DGR, donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
QPILCH exists to assist in the relief of poverty by coordinating the provision of free legal services for people who cannot afford private representation or obtain legal aid.
You can donate funds directly to QPILCH. We use donations to augment the services we provide. Donations go to a gift fund which is kept separate from our operating accounts. Funds in the Gift Fund are used to establish new projects that provide direct services to the community.
We acknowledge all contributions (unless privacy is requested) on our website and in other publications such as our regular newsletter and at relevant events.
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| Donate to the Titus Ani Appeal | |
|  | | READ MORE about this appeal |
This appeal is to raise funds for a young Nigerian man, Titus Ani, who is on death row in Denpasar, Bali. An Australian legal team cosisting of Brisbane barrister Ronald Peterson and Russel Thirgood, a partner at McCollough Robertson Lawyers, has been working on a pro bono basis and has reached the conclusion that Titus has been sentenced to death on a false premise.
They will need to retain Indonesian lawyers to present Titus' final appeal. The Indonesian lawyers are unable to work on a pro bono basis. Further, there are other disbursements such as the costs of obtaining a DNA test and engaging a lawyer from Nigeria and potentially a lawyer from Pakistan.
For more information about death row in Bali, see the article below that has recently appeared in Proctor, the Queensland Law Society journal.
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| Corporate contribution to pro bono services | |
QPILCH provides an opportunity for all members of the legal profession wherever they work to contribute to pro bono legal services for disadvantaged members of the community. Many lawyers work in corporations as in-house counsel, in legal units or in administrative and management roles. Individual lawyers can volunteer in their own time to other community legal services that conduct after-hours services, but QPILCH encourages the employer, the corporation, to commit its resources to pro bono during work hours.
Corporations can contribute by:
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 | Becoming a QPILCH member through its corporate legal unit | |
Donating funds and/or equipment | |
Seconding an in-house lawyer | |
Sponsoring a special project |
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Why become involved?
The idea that corporations should have a greater role in supporting their community has been highlighted by recent events such as the James Hardie Group restructure and the establishment of an inquiry into corporate responsibility conducted by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services.
While the Corporations Act 2001 provides guidance to company directors as to their legal obligations to the company, it also imposes some restrictions on their conduct. The Corporations Act 2001 requires directors and officers of a corporation to act in ‘the best interests of the corporation’, and this is often interpreted narrowly. More companies now realise that in order for them to be ‘sustainable’, they must draw their attention to the well-being of society and its operational environment rather than just short-term profitability.
The concern for stakeholders’ interests (other than shareholders) and the involvement in social advancement are steps that a corporation may consider in promoting their role as an advocate for corporate social responsibility.
As a pro bono independent community based legal referral service, QPILCH relies on the support of its members, individuals and various government and non-government organisations. QPILCH’s strength lies in its ability to marshal the resources of the legal and wider community and target them to where they are most needed. We develop practical programs to use scarce resources to protect those who are most vulnerable and less well-off and to promote a just and fair society. But funds to support legal services for the disadvantaged are scarce. Your help is needed.
We have established strong relationships with member law firms, barristers and institutions, and we are keen to expand our membership to include corporate legal units and to expand our services by establishing strong links with corporate sponsors. Whether it is financial support through membership fees, sponsorship of a special project or the secondment of an in-house lawyer, QPILCH encourages corporate involvement and has the structure, management and runs on the board to support and sustain it.
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Please see information under "Membership" to find out more about becoming a Corporate Legal Unit member.
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Benefits of becoming a QPILCH member include:
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| QPILCH assisting your legal department in establishing a pro bono policy and procedures to best suit its corporate identity and philosophy | |
The opportunity to demonstrate your legal department’s real support for the ideal of good corporate citizenship | |
Public recognition for pro bono work by your involvement in public interest policy issues | |
Improved recruitment possibilities with many graduates and lawyers seeking out employers with real commitment to pro bono lawyering | |
Wide experience for lawyers, with exposure to diverse legal issues and regular contact with the broader sections of the legal and general community | |
Increased staff satisfaction and retention by involving lawyers in community legal work | |
Regular publication in the QPILCH newsletter and other publications of the pro bono activities of its members | |
The knowledge that you are helping people with real problems in practical ways | |
Recognition of the full professional responsibilities of lawyers, wherever they work. |
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By becoming a QPILCH member or supporting QPILCH in other ways, your organisation will be recognised for advancing the public interest; be recognised as a corporation that contributes to the provision of pro bono legal services for people and groups in need of assistance; and enhance access to justice for the most disadvantaged members of our community.
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| | | DONATE NOW - Online credit card donations via the secure engine of ourcommunity.com.au |
To make a cash donation by credit card (MC or Visa), please click on the link to the right. To donate something else, please contact QPILCH at the email address below or telephone (07) 3846 6317.
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Many law firms second solicitors to QPILCH and corporations have seconded legal staff to our counterpart in Melbourne. If you would like to broaden the experience of your staff, contact us on (07) 3846 6317 or email the address below.
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| Become a corporate sponsor | |
For information about forthcoming projects click here.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call 3846 6317 or email the address below.
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