Introduction

QPILCH is an independent, not-for-profit, incorporated association that was started by the legal profession to assist people who cannot afford private legal assistance or obtain legal aid.

QPILCH is a partnership of law firms, barristers, the Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services Inc., the Queensland Law Society Incorporated, the Bar Association of Queensland, Legal Aid Queensland, university law schools and accountancy firms.

QPILCH is a member of the Australian PILCH network.

What does QPILCH do?

• QPILCH facilitates legal referrals to law firms and barristers who provide free legal assistance for individuals in civil law cases.
• QPILCH also provides direct legal services in particular areas of law or for special groups.
• QPILCH facilitates referrals for not-for-profit community organisations.

Referral of individuals in need to law firms and barristers

Who can we assist?

We accept applications from individuals who are unable, or to the satisfaction of QPILCH, ineligible, to obtain legal aid and have insufficient means to afford the required legal services.

What legal areas can we help with?

QPILCH can only assist in civil law matters. QPILCH is unlikely to be able to assist with family law and criminal law requests.

What are our referral criteria?

QPILCH public interest scheme

1. The matter has legal merit, meaning that the likelihood of success and risks of taking on the case are supported by the important social justice issues of the case;

2. The matter must be in the public interest. The matter is a legal matter of public interest if it:

• affects a significant number of people;
• raises matters of broad public concern;
• requires legal intervention to avoid a significant and avoidable injustice; or
• particularly impacts on disadvantaged or marginalised groups;

3. The issue requires a legal remedy or other legal assistance; and

4. The issue requires addressing pro bono publico (‘for the common good’).

Queensland Law Society and Bar Pro Bono Schemes

1. The matter has legal merit, that is, it has strong prospects of success.

2. The applicant meets the means test, that is, they are, to the satisfaction of QPILCH, ineligible to obtain legal aid and are unable to pay for the legal services required to resolve the matter.

Who will help you with your case?

Applications that satisfy these criteria are referred for legal assistance to law firms or barristers who are willing to take on the matter for free or at a reduced cost. We cannot guarantee that a matter will be accepted.

What assistance can be provided?

Assistance provided by law firms and barristers includes:

• advice and opinions;
• drafting documents;
• mediation and negotiation;
• litigation; and
• legal projects, including research.

If you would like an application form, you can download one from our website at www.qpilch.org.au or contact us using the details at the bottom of this factsheet.

Advice and assistance clinics

Legal staff and volunteers provide direct legal services to people who cannot obtain legal aid or afford private legal assistance through the following:

• Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic;
• Refugee Civil Law Clinic;
• Administrative Law Clinic;
• Self-Representation Service (Courts); and
• Self-Representation Service (QCAT).

Each service has its own eligibility criteria and may require applicants to complete an application form. Please see the QPILCH website for further information about these services.

Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic

The HPLC provides free legal advice and assistance to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness at a number of emergency accommodation centres and welfare agencies across Brisbane and in Toowoomba.  The Clinic may be able to help you if you are experiencing issues with:

• Debt and loans;
• Fines;
• Guardianship;
• Housing and tenancy issues;
• Social security; and
• Police and public order offences.

Refugee Civil Law Clinic

The Refugee Civil Law Clinic provides free legal advice and assistance to refugees, humanitarian entrants, asylum seekers and temporary protection visa holders who are experiencing financial hardship and cannot access mainstream legal services.  The Clinic can help you if you are experiencing issues with:

• Debt and loans;
• Fines;
• Consumer issues (sale of goods, and entering into contracts for goods);
• Housing and tenancy issues;
• Social security;
• Discrimination; and
• Employment.

The Clinic does not provide any advice in relation to immigration law.

Administrative Law Clinic

The Administrative Law Clinic provides legal advice and extended minor assistance in administrative law matters.  An administrative law matter is a matter involving a problem with government-decision making.  The Clinic may be able to help you with issues such as:

• Judicial review of State and Federal government decisions;
• Matters before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Social Security Appeals Tribunal and Guardianship and Administration Tribunal;
• Seeking internal review or appeal of a government decision;
• Freedom of information applications; and
• Centrelink issues.

Self Representation Service (Courts)

The SRS (Courts) can help litigants in person to prepare their case for civil litigation in the following courts:

• District Court;
• Supreme Court; and
• Court of Appeal.

The service is independent of the courts and government and helps litigants without legal representation take the practical steps to have their case fully heard and determined.  An appointment must be made to access this service.

Self Representation Service (QCAT)

The SRS (QCAT) provides free legal advice and assistance in the following areas:

• Children and young people;
• Anti-discrimination;
• Guardianship and Administration;
• Information Privacy;
• Manufactured Homes;
• Residential Tenancy;
• Retirement Villages.

People appealing a QCAT decision are also eligible for assistance.

Contact us

Please contact QPILCH by:

E:    services@qpilch.org.au
T:    07 3846 6317
F:    07 3846 6311
P:    QPILCH, PO Box 3631, South Brisbane BC, Qld 4101