The legal profession has always recognised the importance of providing free and reduced-fee legal assistance to those experiencing hardship.
QPILCH provides a structure to assist legal practitioners in the provision of pro bono assistance by:
- receiving and assessing applications for pro bono legal assistance;
- referring matters with merit that require pro bono representation to legal practitioners; and
- coordinating the operation of direct legal services to assist particular disadvantaged client groups.
QPILCH's efficient and effective operation ensures pro bono resources are utilised to their maximum benefit and assistance is directed to those who need it most.
QPILCH members
Lawyers can have the opportunity to participate in all of QPILCH's activities if their firm or legal unit (for in-house lawyers) are QPILCH members. The QPILCH activities in which lawyers can participate include:
- Referral Service - Members join an email list and are notified when a person is seeking pro bono representation in a public interest matter. QPILCH filters all requests first to ensure that the person has reasonable prospects of success and warrants the use of members' valuable time.
- Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic - Members provide legal advice and assistance to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, at community agencies across Queensland.
- Refugee Civil Law Clinic - Members provide advice and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in civil law (not immigration) matters.
- Self Representation Service - Member lawyers staff appointments to help people representing themselves in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the District and Supreme Courts, and the Queensland Court of Appeal.
- QPILCH's Mental Health Law Practice - This practice includes the Open Minds Legal Clinic, the Mental Health Law Clinic and the Mental Health Volunteer Advocacy Scheme.
- Rural Regional and Remote Project - QPILCH aims to improve access to justice for people in RRR areas by working with solicitors and barristers in those areas, as well as building partnerships with Brisbane-based practitioners. We particularly welcome any involvement from RRR practitioners.
QLS Pro Bono Referral Service
Law firms that are members of the Queensland Law Society can participate in the QLS Pro Bono Referral Service that QPILCH coordinates on behalf of the QLS. It is free to join, you choose if and when you take on a matter, and you receive emails about available matters.
Other volunteering opportunities
- Read more about volunteering opportunities for individual lawyers - QPILCH primarily works with law firms and in-house legal units, but we welcome individual lawyers who wish to volunteer at QPILCH during business hours.
Become a member
Complete a membership application form and send to QPILCH. Your membership fee can be paid by cheque or online using a credit card.
- Membership Form (Doc 48KB) - Application form for new members in word
- Membership form (PDF 70KB) - Application form for new members in PDF
