On Friday 19 March 2021, the Western Sydney Community Legal Centre Ltd. was very excited to launch the Multicultural Legal Service (MLS). 32.6% of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people living in NSW reside in the Western Sydney area and almost half of these individuals are living on an income of less than $26,000 a year.
We knew that we had to take steps to be accessible and visible to our multicultural community. Accordingly, our solicitors Caitlin Comensoli and Harry Rutner took on the task of establishing our new service.
At our launch, we welcomed guests from Parliament; Julie Owens, Federal Member for Parramatta, and Stephen Bali, Member for Blacktown, as well as local councillors, Mia Zahra and the CLCP team at LegalAid NSW, Community Legal Centre colleagues, and staff from community organisations across Western Sydney.
We extend a warm thank-you to Tim Leach, Executive Director of CLCNSW, Lovemore N’Dou, Principal Solicitor of Lovemore Lawyers, and Faydi Saddik, CEO and Director of the Western Sydney Community Centre, for sharing their experiences with us on the day.
We also thank House of Welcome for providing exceptional catering for the event, and the Choir of Love, for performing a medley of international songs for our guests. We are excited to see the MLS grow in 2021, and welcome new partners and clients to join us.
The Multicultural Legal Service provides free legal information, advice, and presentations on a range of matters including, but not limited to:
- Domestic violence;
- Issues about money (such as personal credit/debt);
- Traffic offences and minor criminal charges;
- Motor vehicle accidents;
- Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs);
- Employment;
- Discrimination; and
- Family law (such as divorce and parenting after separation);
They operate throughout the community and assist at the following outreach locations:
- Assyrian Australian Association;
- Auburn Library;
- House of Welcome;
- STARTTS;
- The Hub at Castle Hill Towers;
- Western Sydney Community Centre; and
- Max Webber Library;
Find out more about the Multicultural Legal Service by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0401 936 582. You can request legal help by completing the Multicultural Legal Service Online Form here.