Information for the Public
The Western Australian Bar is a voluntary professional association of barristers. The WA Bar liaises and works with Law Access, community legal centres, and the courts to provide pro bono legal advice and representation by our members.
Generally, members of the WA Bar do not accept instructions directly from a client – members are briefed by an instructing solicitor.
What to do if you need legal assistance, cannot afford to pay for it and cannot obtain other funding. Where to go first?
If you do not currently have a solicitor assisting you should first apply to legal aid and community legal centres, or if you are eligible, the Aboriginal Legal Service of WA.
If these services are unable to assist you, then you may be eligible for pro bono assistance, from Law Access.
Law Access is a not-for-profit organisation of last resort that coordinates the giving of pro bono (no fee) legal assistance by the Western Australian legal profession. The service is targeted at not-for-profits and individuals in genuine need of legal assistance who satisfy a means and merits test.
If you are assessed as meeting the Law Access means and merits test Law Access may be in a position to assist you in securing the services of a solicitor, on a pro bono basis.
Law Access does not offer a walk-in service and all contact should be made through the online form on the website, by email or in writing. The contact details for Law Access are set out below:
Law Access Ltd
PO Box 3359
Broadway
NEDLANDS WA 6009
Phone: (08) 6488 6813
The telephone line is usually open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am -12pm and 2-4pm
Fax: (08) 9324 8699
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lawaccess.org.au
If Law Access is able to secure the services of a solicitor and that solicitor decides that a barrister should be involved, Law Access will liaise with the WA Bar.
Other avenues to consider are: