About Us

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Mission
Objectives
Values
Structure
Governance
Legal Trainee
Funding
Annual Report
Constitution

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

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.

Legal Trainee

We annually recruit a legal trainee with funding from Allens Linklaters. Applications for the 2014 Legal Trainee position will be advertised on the employment page on this website.

Funding

We receive our funding from diverse sources including:

Australian Government Attorney-General's Department via the Legal Aid Commission of Victoria
Victorian Government Department of Health
Victorian Government Department of Justice
City of Yarra
Reichstein Foundation
Victoria Law Foundation
Legal Services Board
Allens Linklaters

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