Introduction

QPILCH is an independent, not-for-profit legal service incorporated in 2001. QPILCH is committed to improving access to justice for people who are ineligible for legal aid or cannot afford private representation and for community groups with public interest objectives.

QPILCH is the leading facilitator of pro bono legal services in Queensland.

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 public benevolent institution, endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient. All QPILCH accounts are independently audited.

What does QPILCH do?

QPILCH refers individual matters to law firms and barristers, coordinates direct legal services for particular disadvantaged client groups and undertakes law reform, policy work and legal education. QPILCH continuously is committed to working in a flexible and innovative manner to respond to unmet legal need.

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. We also assist community groups with public interest objectives.

What legal areas can we help with?

QPILCH can only assist in civil law matters. QPILCH is unable 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 strong prospects of success.
2. The applicant is, to the satisfaction of QPILCH, ineligible for legal aid and cannot afford 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 are ineligible for legal aid and cannot afford private representation through the following:

Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic;
Refugee Civil Law Clinic;
Administrative Law Clinic;
Mental Health Law Clinic;
Intellectual Property and Technology 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 Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic 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 and Townsville. The Clinic may be able to help 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 and asylum seekers who have been in Australia for 0-5 years and who are experiencing financial hardship and cannot access mainstream legal services. The Clinic does not provide any advice in relation to immigration law. The Clinic can help 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.

Administrative Law Clinic

The Administrative Law Clinic is a joint project of QPILCH and Bond University to provide legal advice and extended minor assistance in administrative law matters. It is staffed by senior law students under the supervision of an experienced lawyer. 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 and the Social Security Appeals Tribunal;
Seeking internal review or appeal of a government decision;
Right to information applications; and
Centrelink issues.

Mental Health Law Clinic

The Mental Health Law Clinic is a joint project of QPILCH and the University of Queensland's TC Beirne School of Law to provide free legal services to people with mental illness or their families. It is staffed by senior law students under the supervision of an experienced lawyer.
The Clinic provides assistance to people who are experiencing problems in civil areas of law because of their mental illness. The Clinic can also provide assistance, but not representation, in matters arising from the application of the Mental Health Act 2000 (Qld).

The Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic

The Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic (a QUT and QPILCH initiative) aims to facilitate free legal advice and legal services to members of the arts and technology communities who cannot otherwise afford to consult a lawyer. The Clinic utilises an enthusiastic volunteer base of lawyers and law firms in Queensland to provide a free advisory service and a pro bono referral service.

Self Representation Service (Courts)

The Self Representation Service (Courts) helps self represented parties 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 Self Representation Service (QCAT) provides free legal advice and assistance to people in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal in the following areas:

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

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

This factsheet is for general information purposes only. Independent legal advice should be sought for thorough advice on this area.

The Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House Incorporated (QPILCH) is an independent, not-for-profit community based legal service that coordinates the provision of pro bono legal services for individuals and community groups. QPILCH also provides direct services for disadvantaged and marginalised Queenslanders.

QPILCH gratefully acknowleges the funding provided by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General and the Law Foundation Queensland.

Last updated: 28 March 2011.