Working groups
Overview
Working groups, comprised of staff from different member organisations, are hubs of expertise in specific areas of the law. The members in the working groups use this expertise to address and develop strategic responses to sector, policy, law reform, justice and legal system issues.
Current working groups
Access to Interpreters Working Group
Concerned with the access of non-English speaking clients to legal information and education within their communities, and access to translation and interpreting services.
Child Support Working Group
Supports child support workers in community legal centres in casework, CLE and law reform activities; works closely with the National Child Support Network.
Community Development & Legal Education Working Group
Seeks to improve community members’ access to quality legal information through innovative community development projects.
Family Violence Lawyers Working Group
The Family Violence Lawyers Working Group operates as a support for CLC duty lawyers in intervention order lists at Magistrates’ Courts throughout the State. The working group’s casework and court experiences also inform the policy and law reform work of the Violence Against Women and Children Working Group.
Infringements Working Group
Monitors the impact of the infringements system on disadvantaged communities and advocates improvements to the system. The Working Group participates in the Department of Justice Infringements Standing Advisory Committee and provides training to community workers on the infringements system.
Professional Standards Working Group
Assists Victorian community legal centres and community legal centre lawyers to meet their obligations under the national scheme for professional indemnity insurance.
Tenancy Law Working Group
Provides a forum for legal centres and other community groups to discuss issues relating to tenancy law and practice. The group also discusses wider policy issues relevant to renting.
Smart Justice for Young People
Smart Justice for Young People is devoted to the legal and justice issues affecting young people aged between 12 and 25. The Group’s focus is on interactions between police and young people, identified as an area of concern by the organisations involved in Smart Justice for Young People, however the group is committed to addressing other important youth justice issues as they arise, such as youth diversionary schemes and bail and remand. More information.
Current networks
- Human Rights Network
- Social Workers Network
- Professional Support Network
- Civil Law Network
- Family Law Network
- Managers Network
- Neophytes (new) Lawyers
- Principals Network
- Rural, Regional and Remote Network
- Smart Justice for Young People
Getting involved
For further information on any of the Federation's Working Groups, contact the Federation.
