Complete issue - Legal Aid Queensland - Queensland Government

sorting fact from fictionMyth – If one party in a dispute gets legal aid firstthen the other party can’t get itIf one party in a dispute gets legal aid this does not stopthe other party from getting legal aid.A person is entitled to legal aid to pay for a lawyer torepresent them if they meet our funding guidelines. Welook at how much they earn and own and what they aregoing to court for.If a person meets our funding guidelines and getslegal aid it doesn’t matter if the other person in thedispute gets aid as well.If both parties in a dispute are funded by legal aidonly one party can be represented by our in-houselawyers. The other party will be referred to a privatelawyer who does legal aid work.Myth – Legal Aid Queensland lawyers aren’t reallawyersOur lawyers and barristers are some of the best inAustralia. They are all “real” lawyers and can onlypractice at Legal Aid Queensland if they’ve beenadmitted as a solicitor, barrister or legal practitioner ofthe Supreme Court of Queensland.More than 70 percent of legally-aided cases areactually assigned to private law firms – the same firmsyou could employ if you had the means to pay for yourown legal representation.Many of our lawyers have gone on to positions in theMagistracy and Judiciary – a tribute to their expertiseand dedication to the cause of justice.Myth – It’s not even worth applying - aid is toohard to getAll Queenslanders can get free legal information andadvice from Legal Aid Queensland by calling1300 65 11 88 (local call cost).We also offer a range of other free services including80 publications and an online legal informationdatabase accessible via our websitewww.legalaid.qld.gov.auOur publications are available online from ourwebsite and hard copies can be ordered by emailingpublications@legalaid.qld.gov.auThe State and Federal Government have set downguidelines that prioritise the different types of legalmatters for legal aid funding.We apply these funding guidelines when working outwho will get legal aid for a lawyer to represent them.We look at how much your earn and own. We will alsolook at other things like the type of matter you are goingto court for and the urgency and seriousness of thematter.Myth – We provide legal help to businessesWe do not provide legal help to businesses. We are onlyfunded by the state and commonwealth government tohelp individuals.Businesses can call our 1300 65 11 88 informationline and talk to a customer service officer who can referthem to other organisations who might be able to helpthem.Myth – We can access other government departments’ client databases for personal information about clientsWe can not access other government departments’ client databases to search for information about clients onbehalf of a client or a third party.Plan to help Legal Aid deliver in a culturally diverse stateA NEW multicultural action plan will help LegalAid Queensland provide quality legal services toQueenslanders from culturally diverse backgrounds.The plan has four key aims: developing and supporting a culturally diverseworkplace to reflect the diversity of our clients consulting with non-English speakingbackground communities and raising awarenessabout our services providing easily accessible and culturallyappropriate services effectively advocating against racism, includingsystematic racism, and participate in law reformand other initiatives to help achieve socialjustice for people from diverse backgrounds.CEO John Hodgins said all Legal Aid employees have apart to play in achieving these outcomes.“We each have responsibility in our day-to-day workto treat clients and colleagues with respect and dignityregardless of cultural, ethnic or religious background,”he said.“We each have responsibility to ensure that servicesare provided that are appropriate to individual needs,such as the use of interpreters.”Legal Aid Queensland will monitor, review and reporton the implementation of the plan, and will report on itsimplementation in the annual report.>> Head Note June 200621