Welcome to Springvale Monash Legal Service Inc.(SMLS)
SMLS is a community organisation providing free, confidential legal advice to all members of the community. Since the emergence of community legal centres in the 1970s, the philosophical basis of SMLS has been the provision of accessible legal assistance and information, community legal education and law reform to disadvantaged members of the community.
The objectives of SMLS today remain the same. SMLS provides community members with an otherwise unavailable means of becoming informed about their rights and how to enforce them. Moreover, a mix of caseload, lobbying, education and legal action strategies ensures the community has access to a more holistic form of justice, an end to which all volunteers and employees are encouraged to contribute. We are living in a society where the community is in constant need of a service that provides assistance regarding legal issues in an accessible and comprehensive manner.
SMLS operates in partnership with Monash University Law Faculty; enabling an extensive service to the community to be offered through the student clinic as well as providing a unique opportunity for law students to experience the realities of legal practice and gain exposure to a wide variety of legal issues.
Free interpreters are available when needed. Ongoing legal assistance may be offered to low income earners and health care card holders. Legal assistance will be provided by a law student under the supervision of a qualified lawyer.
SMLS is co-located with Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau (SCAAB). If assistance is needed with social and welfare issues, SMLS can refer to the appropriate staff at SCAAB. Where applicable, referrals will be made to private practitioners.
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