New legal aid service for Geraldton

30/11/04
A new legal aid office in Geraldton will be a major boost for Mid-West residents, improving access to legal advice and representation.
Attorney General Jim McGinty said the new $776,000 service would significantly improve access to justice for low-income and disadvantaged individuals and groups.
"Legal aid is a valuable service for people who cannot afford to pay for their own legal assistance," Mr McGinty said.
"This new service will provide the local community with legal advice, minor assistance, duty lawyer services, family mediation and representation in criminal, family and civil areas."
Five full-time staff will be employed at the Geraldton centre, including three solicitors and one paralegal.
Currently, Geraldton residents only have access to legal aid through a part-time lawyer based at the court and from a Perth-based telephone service.
The Attorney General said access to legal advice was often limited for people living in isolated country areas.
"People living in rural and remote areas can face many difficulties in accessing legal aid, such as a lack of lawyers and high transport costs," he said.
"Establishing a legal aid office in Geraldton will give Mid-West and Gascoyne residents better access to legal help, leading to quicker trials and reducing the stress on victims of crime.
"I am pleased that we are able to improve the efficiency of the justice system and make legal aid available to all Western Australians."
Mr McGinty said he was confident the new centre would complement the positive work done by the Geraldton Resource Centre.
The Geraldton legal aid centre is expected to be operating in April, 2005.
Attorney General's office: 9220 5000