January 09, 2020 | Rosanna Di Grazia
If you are a member of the public searching for legal support, help is available now. Call the Disaster Legal Helpline on 1800 113 432.
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As bushfires continue to affect communities across Victoria, community lawyers across the state are on deck to support individuals and families that need us.
Communities can face unforeseen legal problems and barriers during and after bushfires including:
- Insurance claims
- Accommodation and tenancy issues
- Managing financial hardship
- Replacing important documents
- Managing pre-existing legal issues
Alongside our partners at Disaster Legal Help Victoria (including Victoria Legal Aid, Justice Connect, the Victorian Bar and Law Institute Victoria) we are coordinating the legal response to the current crisis, and working with affected community legal centres.
We are now calling on community lawyers to volunteer their time and expertise in the coming weeks and months.
This may include travelling to affected towns and recovery centres to provide on-the-ground assistance.
You may have general expertise, or specialise in insurance, credit, tenancy or family law.
We are particularly interested in hearing from lawyers already based in Gippsland and North East Victoria.
If you would like to express interest in volunteering, please fill out this form.
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