Volunteer
Volunteer solicitors
Kingsford Legal Centre could not conduct our advice sessions without the involvement of our dedicated and competent volunteer solicitors. Our volunteer solicitors are our unsung heroes and one of our most valuable assets.
Our volunteers attend an advice session at the Centre one Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night per fortnight at the Kingsford Legal Centre, which is located on the UNSW campus in Kensington.
Volunteer solicitors commit to attending the same evening advice session — i.e. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday — every fortnight. We have very limited capacity for remote advice so please make a note of that when you are applying, if attending in person is an issue for you.
Volunteer solicitors' role is to provide legal advice to clients and to work with UNSW law students at the Centre to assist and advise clients who would otherwise not have access to legal advice and representation. An important aspect of volunteering is to ensure that clients who attend the Centre receive the same quality of advice and assistance as clients who can afford to pay for legal services.
Kingsford Legal Centre encourages solicitors with a current NSW practicing certificate and at least 18 months of practising experience to apply to volunteer at the centre.
KLC volunteer comments about volunteering
- Meeting colleagues and updating my knowledge.
- Helping people.
- Affording people who otherwise may not be able to afford legal advice or be eligible for legal aid access to justice and (in some circumstances) being able to resolve their dispute or give a clear path forward in just one meeting.
- Camaraderie.
- Working together and brainstorming.
- Getting to help people!
- Teamwork and collegiate. Proving solutions for the clients. The variety.
- Volunteer solicitors commitment to turn up each fortnight.
- Different to my day to day work; every client presents a challenge to get on top of an unfamiliar area of law and to engage in problem solving; gain genuine insight into people's lives, a very authentic experience; permanent staff at KLC are very nice and helpful.
- Improving access to justice whilst giving students a unique insight into non-corporate law.
- Well organised, friendly staff, meeting other volunteers, helping develop students, opportunity to help someone who is feeling overwhelmed or us empowered by their situation.
- I like giving back to the community and being able to help those in need.
Volunteer Training
KLC develops a training program in relevant areas of law for our volunteers. This program is free for our volunteers and attracts MCLE points.
Volunteer lawyer
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Title: Volunteer Lawyer.
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM approx.
Duties: Volunteer lawyers are expected to attend on their rostered night. The Centre’s clients depend on the services provided by volunteers. Volunteer lawyers must have read, and understood the Professional Indemnity Insurance Risk Management Guide before attending their first session.
Provide clients with quality advice services
- ensure conflict search is conducted (by students if they are available).
- interview clients in conjunction with students: where students are available they should take all initial instructions.
- confer with students about advice to be provided and other lawyers where necessary.
- provide advice which is accurate and clear.
- work together with interpreters to ensure clients understand the advice given and that the advice is given in a culturally appropriate way.
- discuss with advice night supervisor any matters to be referred for ongoing assistance.
Provide a stimulating learning experience for students
- assist in identifying conflicts of interest.
- discuss the advice and any ethical issues which arise in giving the advice with law students. Discussion should take place both before and after the advice is given.
- provide feedback to students relevant to improving their skills and client issues and legal issues which arise.
Ensure accurate records are kept of client attendances and advice given
- ensure all required statistical information is recorded on Client Information Sheet.
- ensure a clear and accurate record is made of the advice provided.
- ensure clients are advised of limitation dates and these are recorded on advice sheets.
- check with supervising solicitor about updates on law or policy and procedures in the Centre, for example, casework policy.
- attend training sessions/updates as where possible.
Qualifications
- A current practising certificate in New South Wales;
Essential Criteria
- A willingness to assist disadvantaged clients to gain access to the legal profession.
- A desire to provide a service to the community.
- A willingness to undergo training as and when required.
- A willingness to share your experience and expertise with others.
- A commitment to working as a team with other volunteer lawyers on the roster.
- To be an active listener and to show empathy towards clients.
- To communicate the advice clearly and sensitively.
- A commitment to attend allocated advice sessions regularly.
- Understanding of the PII Risk Management Guide.
If you don’t fit Kingsford Legal Centre volunteer criteria and are still interested in volunteering at a community legal centre Community Legal Centres Volunteers is a national database of community legal centres with information about current volunteering opportunities.
Information about other community legal centres in NSW can be found at Community Legal Centre NSW.
Please register your interest here!
We particularly need solicitors with employment law expertise.
Our online induction sessions for new volunteers are scheduled on a Monday between 5-6pm.
Our dates for 2024 are: 29 January, 08 April, 24 June, 02 September and 11 November.
We take on volunteers with general civil, family, employment and criminal law experience.
Law student volunteers
Due to the large number of UNSW Law & Justice students who are at the centre each day we are unable to take student volunteers.
Kingsford Legal Centre acknowledges the Gadigal and Bidjigal Clans, who traditionally occupied the Sydney Coast.
We respect those Elders, past and present, and thank them for allowing us to work and study on their lands.