Pro Bono Connect

We take applications from people and Not-for-profits seeking free legal help in civil law matters and connect people to pro bono help, or provide advice and referral elsewhere. As we receive many applications from people who want free legal assistance, we prioritise requests based on:

• the public interest of the matter;
• the level of hardship faced by the applicant;
• the potential outcome;
• the prospects of achieving a successful outcome;
• the resources required to progress the matter; and
• alternative options available to the applicant – including LawRight’s direct services.

Alternative options for help

Pro bono lawyers can only help with a limited number of cases, so we prioritise applicants who can not get help elsewhere. Before applying, you should consider if you could get help from:

• your local community legal centre (for more simple legal matters)
• another LawRight service (see a full list here)
• Legal Aid Queensland (family law, criminal law, some areas of civil law including discrimination)
• a ‘no win, no fee’ law firm (for personal injury claims)
• a private lawyer who you pay for advice

Who can we help?

LawRight can assist individuals and not-for-profit community groups.

We do not generally assist businesses or corporations, but in limited circumstances, we may assist small organisations where the individuals involved in the organisation meet our eligibility criteria.

We do not have a strict means test but we can only assist people who cannot afford a lawyer or obtain legal aid and we give priority to those experiencing the greatest hardship.

LawRight cannot assist with:

• Family law
• Criminal law
• Native title
• Building and construction disputes
• Complex commercial disputes

In certain circumstances, we will also consider whether the matter is ‘in the public interest’, which includes cases that affect a significant number of people, raise matters of broad public concern, or impact on particularly vulnerable or disadvantaged people.

Please download an information brochure (linked to the right) for more information about eligibility for assistance.

How can I apply?

To apply, please complete the application form here. If you are unable to complete the online form, contact us to discuss alternative arrangements.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible for assistance, you can contact Pro Bono Connect on (07) 3052 4308 to discuss your legal matter so that we can determine whether you should submit an application for pro bono legal assistance. We will use telephone interpreters when needed. Our lawyers cannot give legal advice over the phone until you have been accepted as a client.

Not-for-profits

LawRight is able to assist not-for-profit organisations where those organisations face a specific legal problem, for example, negotiating entry into a contract, and priority is given to organisations which have charitable purposes, address individual and community disadvantage and serve a wide group of people.

LawRight is generally unable to assist in disputes between, or internal to, not-for-profit organisations.

Procedure

Once you apply, LawRight will assess the matter based on the information you provide. If your matter is eligible for referral, we will email our member firms or barristers seeking assistance.

Members are not obliged to accept a referral, so we cannot guarantee that help will be obtained in all matters that we try to refer.

If we do not refer your matter, we will contact you to explain why and suggest some options for you.