February 24, 2012
Media release
For immediate release

A FREE family law legal advice service is available for people who are scheduled to appear at the visiting Federal Magistrates Court in Toowoomba on the 1st of March, 2012.  

Run by Legal Aid Queensland, the Family Court Duty Lawyer Service will be available from 9.00 am at the Toowoomba Courthouse on Hume Street, Toowoomba.

Legal Aid Queensland Family Law Duty Lawyer coordinator Sarah D’Alton said the duty lawyer service provided a legal lifeline to people representing themselves in family law matters.

“Our duty lawyers provide free legal information and advice, help fill out some forms and documents needed for that day in court and will also talk about eligibility for ongoing support from Legal Aid,” Ms D’Alton said.

“The service is aimed at people who turn up for court for a session that day without having received any information or advice from a lawyer.

“Our duty lawyers will try to help these people get through their day in court and give them the information they need to better prepare for later court dates.”

“Duty lawyers can only provide a basic service to help people through that day in court,” she said.

“The duty lawyers are not going to be able take on case work or represent people in family law trials.

“Our duty lawyer service will go some of the way to helping people get through that first day before the court, but cannot replace the very important assistance a lawyer can provide in the days and weeks leading up to a court date.”

All Queenslanders can get free legal information and advice from Legal Aid Queensland by calling 1300 65 11 88 (local call cost) from anywhere in the state. For more information visit www.legalaid.qld.gov.au

Media contact:
Marnie Stitz Ph: (07) 3238 3004 or Katherine Gorter Ph: (07) 3238 3392