About LawRight
LawRight improves the lives of vulnerable people by increasing access to justice through strategic partnerships with pro bono lawyers. 22,750 pro bono hours are donated annually by over 800 lawyers from 65 law firms, 170 barristers and 140 law students. By connecting to clients at community, health, and civic organisations, LawRight increases their access to housing, income and legal rights and improves their health and well-being.
Our Patron is the Chief Justice of Queensland, the Honourable Helen Bowskill.
Court & Tribunal Services
Providing on-site services at eight Brisbane registries and remote assistance across Queensland, we help vulnerable individuals navigate civil court and tribunal proceedings.
Through strategic partnerships with pro bono lawyers, we ensure the right legal support is matched to each person's needs. Our services include the Self-Representation Service (SRS), Duty Lawyer assistance, mediation, advocacy, and representation in the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT).
Community & Health Justice Partnerships
Operating across 15 locations, our partnerships bring together staff and visiting pro bono lawyers to work alongside health and community workers.
Together, we address the complex, intersecting challenges faced by clients, including those experiencing domestic violence, mental illness, homelessness, and members of refugee and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Pro Bono Connect
Pro Bono Connect is a key initiative that facilitates access to justice by connecting individuals and community organisations with pro bono legal assistance. The program carefully assesses applications for civil law pro bono representation and refers suitable matters to law firms and barristers.
Through Pro Bono Connect, we strive to ensure that vulnerable indiviuals and organisations receive high quality legal support when they cannot afford it and have no other viable options for assistance.
About the Queensland Legal Walk
Since 2008, the Walk has brought together legal professionals and community members from across Queensland to support LawRight's access to justice services.
Held on National Pro Bono day (the Tuesday of National Law Week), the Walk is both a fundraiser and an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the valuable pro bono work undertaken by the Australian legal profession.
Make an impact today
Every step you take makes a difference! If each walker raises $200, we can reach our $150,000 goal to keep vital legal services running for those who need them most.
Your support helps people like Joan, Honoria and Leila access free legal assistance—giving them a fair chance at justice.
Sign up, start fundraising, and walk with us to create real impact! Click the ‘Register’ link below to register today.
Joan's Story
Legal Problems Follow Flood Damage
Joan* was triaged to Pro Bono Connect as she could not get help elsewhere.
Joan owned her own home, but then found herself in a financial hardship a few years ago. At the time, the client's sister agreed to assist our client by jointly signing a mortgage for the property. Both our client and her sister were noted on the title as tenants in common. The sister made no financial contributions to the property. In the 2022 floods, the property was serverely damaged and a cash settlement was provided by the insurer. The sister spent the insurance money on other things because she had no need to live in the house.
Joan was left with not enough money to carry out repairs to the property. She couldn't afford to maintain the mortgage and now needed to sell the property, but the property remained damaged and not in a state fit for sale.
Joan was unable to get help anywhere else, and came to LawRight's Pro Bono Connect service, where we assessed her application and considered her legal options.
*Name has been changed for privacy
Copyright © 2024 LawRight, All rights reserved.
Honoria's Story
Access to Justice: How LawRight Helped Honoria Continue Her Case
Honoria* had originally used her savings to pay lawyers to help her start Supreme Court proceedings in relation to a work injury. Unfortunately, she ran out of money and her lawyers told her they couldn’t continue representing her. She tried to find another law firm that might be able to help her, but she couldn’t afford any more legal fees. The Court ordered the parties to attend mediation under the Scheme, and Honoria was referred to LawRight. We connected her with a barrister from our panel.
*Name has been changed for privacy
Copyright © 2024 LawRight, All rights reserved.
Leila's Story
Fired for Making a Complaint
Leila* is a woman in her 60s from Papua New Guinea who speaks English as her second language. She has no income and is being supported by her family. Leila was fired the day after making a complaint about her employment. Leila did not achieve a successful outcome at the Fair Work Commission and approached LawRight for assistance commencing in the Federal Courts. We gave Leila general advice about commencing proceedings, which Leila did independently. We arranged an in-person appointment for Leila with our volunteer lawyers to provide her with general advice about her claim and assisted her to prepare for an upcoming case management hearing. Due to the challenges Leila had faced self-representing to date, and Leila’s own view of her capacity to self represent, we decided to place Leila’s matter with a firm.
*Name has been changed for privacy
Copyright © 2024 LawRight, All rights reserved.
Contact us
Tel: 07 3846 6317 | Email: comms@lawright.org.au
PO Box 12217 | George Street QLD 4003 | ABN: 52 033 468 135
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land and waters throughout Australia and pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We benefit from the gifts of First Nations peoples, acknowledge the historical and ongoing injustices they bear and support their call for power over their destiny.
