Leila's Story

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.

Leila then received full representation from the firm. Leila is very grateful and provided us with this feedback.

“I cannot thank you all, the Staff and the Volunteers Lawyers for the tremendous work & support you all have given to me for 6 months, without a job and no income”.

by Editorial Team

Joseph's Story

Joseph’s Story

Joseph had a defence to the debt claim brought against him in the Magistrates Court, however he wasn’t made aware of the hearing date and a default judgement was made. When the creditor then petitioned for his bankruptcy, Joseph got advice from our Federal Courts office about how to set aside the default judgement but he was so overwhelmed by his money, personal and health troubles that he delayed taking action and a sequestration order was made. LawRight kept helping Joseph and, together with our Magistrates Court pilot service, he prepared evidence of his defence to the default judgement and the sequestration order was overturned on review.

by Editorial Team

Natalie's Story

Federal Court Services

Natalie’s disabilities prevented her from accessing a business and she brought a disability discrimination complaint in the Federal Courts after she couldn’t resolve her concerns through a Australian Human Rights Commission conciliation. Through several appointments, LawRight volunteers helped Natalie draft her originating application, affidavit, and a statement of claim. Her strong case elicited an early offer to settle and LawRight guided Natalie’s negotiations so that the matter was resolved without extensive litigation.

“I think this is a service that is needed, particularly by people such as myself who are unable to afford solicitors’ costs. The service meant that I was able to get justice within the system. I would not have been able to get any result otherwise. The other party in the case continually said that I would not win my case, expressing that they had more money on several occasions, this service ensured that I was able to reach a solution in my favour.”

by Editorial Team