Maddocks works with Canberra Community Law

_{Image caption: Maddocks Lawyer, Elisabeth Laria, participating in the Walk for Truth with Canberra Community Law.}

Canberra Community Law (CCL) is a community legal centre which provides legal services to people in the ACT on low incomes who face significant disadvantage.

The Dhurrawang Aboriginal Human Rights Program at CCL provides legal assistance and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT in a variety of areas of law, including in housing and social security matters. 

Maddocks has been assisting CCL through a secondment program, in which junior lawyers and graduates have assisted the Dhurrawang Program two days a week, which has been happening for over two years. 

Maddocks secondees have provided helpful assistance to the Dhurrawang Program in its day-to-day operations, including preparing correspondence and notices to other parties, attendance at site visits and face-to-face client meetings, assistance in tribunal hearings and preparation of submissions.

Our secondees have also assisted in various legal clinics at community centres, where attendees can ask questions about legal issues in an open and safe setting.

The Dhurrawang Program makes a significant positive impact on access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Canberra. It enables legal assistance to be provided in a direct and culturally appropriate way, and provides advocacy for clients when navigating the legal system. A significant portion of the Dhurrawang Program’s work is in relation to housing, including advocating for clients to gain access to public housing, and assisting in repairs and eviction disputes. 

The program has strong relationships to community groups and centres, and its outreach activities allow legal assistance to be provided to people who may not be aware of the services available to them. 

The secondees have also benefitted from the secondment program, which has provided valuable experience in client communication and advocacy, and insights into access to justice issues in the ACT. 

We look forward to continuing to contribute to the essential work that the CCL team does in the community. 

Rachael Clark, Joint Supervising Solicitor, Dhurrawang Aboriginal Human Rights Program, said:

"The Dhurrawang team has thoroughly enjoyed working alongside each of the Maddocks secondees, many of whom we may not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet. We are extremely grateful for Maddocks’ continued support and truly appreciate the passion, and commitment that each of the Maddocks secondees brings to our team."

Emma Towney, Joint Supervising Solicitor, Dhurrawang Aboriginal Human Rights Program, said:

"Every Maddocks secondee has demonstrated a strong sense of justice and dedication and has been fantastic to work with."

Image caption: Maddocks Lawyer, Elisabeth Laria, participating in the Walk for Truth with Canberra Community Law.