Community law centre needs lawyer volunteers to assist with planned clinics
Community Law Canterbury is planning to provide free legal services throughout Christchurch from Monday, 7 March. This will include a daily clinic (at present from Monday to Saturday) from 10:00am to 2:00pm at a venue still to be confirmed.
Community Law Canterbury says there will also be at least one lawyer available at each of six welfare centres. These locations may vary, and the lawyers will move with them. There will also be other “unofficial” centres, with a second tier outreach which will be serviced if lawyers are available.
Community Law spokesperson Kevin Campbell says the centre’s role will be one of fulfilling its statutory role under the Legal Services Act of meeting unmet legal needs.
“In keeping with Client Conduct Rules, our policy remains one of not acting for anyone who has an existing lawyer,” he says. “Our usual practice, in the event of a client presenting with an existing lawyer, is to refer them to their own lawyer. That will remain the practice.”
Community Law Canterbury’s most urgent need is for lawyers who are willing to help out in the clinics. Mr Campbell says the task could be “massive” and he is hoping that even lawyers whose practices are able to operate will also volunteer to give some of their time – 4 hours a week would be invaluable.
The centre has about 100 volunteer lawyers, but like so much information, the contact lists are within the CBD cordon area. Any offers of assistance should be made to quakehelp@lawsociety.org.nz, texted to 021 420 622 or phoned to 0800 529 000. The New Zealand Law Society will collate names and offers of help and forward them to Community Law Canterbury regularly.