About Us

Mission

The Fitzroy Legal Service operates as a medium of change by working holistically, innovatively and with respect to:

• Empower people before the law through education and action
• Close the gap between law and justice
• Achieve greater equity between people
• Be an avenue for community participation.

Objectives

• To improve and maintain quality and accessible service that meets the legal needs of the community
• To engage in vibrant social action with an agenda based on community participation
• To improve and maintain an effective support structure consisting of effective management and internal administration systems
• To improve and maintain quality committed staff and volunteers
• To maintain independence through secure and diverse income and funding

Values

Empowerment

• Helping people to find solutions appropriate to their needs and respecting individual rights and cultural difference (helping others to help themselves and respecting others)

• Providing access to justice for those who can't afford commercial legal services (practice & night service); providing plain language legal information and range of options so that clients can decide what's most appropriate for their needs (Law Handbook, front desk, referrals to other agencies, community legal education)

Participation

• Constructive involvement in social justice issues with local and wider community and encouraging volunteer and partner participation in our core work (working with others and involving others in our activities)
• Actively recruiting and training volunteers to participate meaningfully in FLS work; forging links with the local community - agencies and general public; outreach; involvement in law reform & social justice campaigns; creating partnerships with law firms for specific activities

Integrity

• Maintaining a clear commitment to fairness, equality and social justice principles in all activities and in responses to community issues (working according to ethical practices and independence)
• Maintaining focus on our vision and evaluating all activities in this light; careful choice of partnerships and projects/campaigns; putting principles before profit; developing and implementing policies and guidelines for ethical work practice; speaking out on issues; lobbying and advocating for change

Quality

• Valuing the creative and practical input of staff and volunteers and working for excellence of service delivery in all areas (meaningful work of good quality and creativity).
• Valuing input from all staff and volunteers; collaborative decision-making; ensuring volunteers don't just do hack work; brainstorming for best solution; acknowledgement of achievements; creation & maintenance of pleasant & harmonious workplace; striving for excellence in content and presentation

Structure

FLS has a team based organisational structure. The work teams are the Administration team, Casework team, Social Action team Publication team and Night Service team. FLS also has a Finance committee and a Publications committee.

The Management Committee (MC) shall control and manage the business of the organization. On behalf of MC, the Executive Officer assumes day-to-day management of the organization

 Organisational Chart.pdf(12.60 KB13.08.2007 15:27)

Governance

We are an independent organisation governed by our management committee. Various committees provide strategic advice to our staff. Members are encouraged to join committees and attend Annual General Meetings, which is held in September every year.

Anyone can become a member of the Fitzroy Legal Service and we encourage you to participate.

Funding

We receive our funding from diverse sources including:

Although we receive government funding, we are not a government agency.

Annual Report

Download our Annual Report:

Annual Report 05-06

Constitution

For more detail on the aims and governance of the Fitzroy Legal Service please download our Constitution:

 FLS Constitution.pdf(132.89 KB13.08.2007 15:27)