The Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania announced on Tuesday it has extended its Legal Advice Clinic on Cameron Street, Launceston from three days to five.

Manager of advice and legal services Anthea d’Emden said the Legal Aid Commission is committed to increasing access to justice for all Tasmanians. 

“Expanding our service to five days a week will be beneficial to those people needing legal advice and assistance and need some flexibility due to either employment or personal circumstances,” she said.

“This expansion will reduce wait times in the clinic and will enable the courts and other services to refer people to our clinic every week day.” 

The commission is a statutory body set up by the Legal Aid Commission Act in 1990. It commenced operation in 1991. It is the largest government-funded legal assistance service in Tasmania.

The Launceston clinic will be open from Monday to Friday, 10.30am to 1pm. Appointments are not necessary.

Ms d’Emden said the clinics are not means tested, making it very easy for Northern Tasmanians to attend the office and obtain free, face-to-face, legal advice from a solicitor.

“People can expect to receive legal advice and assistance specific to their matter, an understanding of the guidelines related to grants of legal aid funding, and referral information to other legal and non legal service providers”.

Ms d’Emden said the Legal Advice Clinics are just one of the services offered by the commission’s valuable Advice and Legal Services program. 

“In addition to the Legal Advice Clinics, the Advice and Legal Services program operates the commission’s free, confidential telephone advice line on 1300 366 611, the online Legal Talk information service, and the provision of legal advice via video conferencing to regional and remote areas of Tasmania,” she said.

Any person needing legal advice should call one of the four offices state-wide.