St Kilda Legal Service Annual Report 2006-2007 - Community Law

Road Traffic & MV OffenTheft & related offeActs intended to cause inOther & misc. crimOffences-justice proceProperty daUnlawful entry intent toDeception & related offeDangerous/neg.Illicit drug offences mOther problemTop 10 Problem Types - Civil38.122.122.1FinesDebt owed by clientFinesDebt owed by client7.8 7.27.8 7.2MV property damageMV property damageWills/ProbateTop 10 Problem Types - CivilWills/Probate4 4 3.9 3.7 3.3 3 2.94 4 3.9 3.7 3.3 3 2.9Other civilCivil violence/restraining ordersOther civilCivil violence/restraining ordersInjuries compensationDebt owed to clientInjuries compensationDebt owed to clientNeighbourhood disputeBody CorporateNeighbourhood disputeBody Corporate38.1Other problem typesOther problem types22.2Top 10 Problem Types - Family14.411.113.222.27.8 7.65.7 5.5 5.4Top 10 Problem Types - Family43.1Child contact14.411.17.8 7.6Information & Referral StatisticsChild contactDivorceDivorceProperty in MarriageFamily /domestic violence orderProperty in Marriage5.7 5.5 5.4A number of our clients are assisted through the provision of information and referral during the day.When clients initially contact the service, whether in person or by telephone, an assessment is made asto whether their problem is actually a legal one and also if our service is the most appropriate organisationto assist them.Family /domestic violence orderChild residencyChild residencyProperty de factoProperty de factoChild support otherChild support otherFamily law otherFamily law otherSeparationAll staff and volunteers within the Community Centre are trained in making appropriate legal serviceappointments and providing basic referral information. Complicated matters requiring further clarification,request for urgent legal telephone advice and request for follow up on existing matters are referred tolegal service staff.The statistical data on the provision of information and referral is collected on the Port Phillip CommunityGroup database and is not incorporated at this stage into CLSIS. The data gathered is quite basic but doesprovide a good indication of the number of people who are assisted in the provision of legal information andreferral. The long term aim of both organisations is to engage an IT consultant to develop a more advanceddatabase that has the capacity to gather data that meets both organisations statistical requirements.Despite the best efforts of staff and volunteers to record PPCG and Legal Service data accurately,responding to client needs at times must be given priority to gathering data and therefore the statisticaldata that is collected could be under reported by at least 20%.4Separation3.1Taking child overseasTaking child overseas13.2Other problem typesOther problem types26 Annual Report 2006 – 2007