Armando’s story

Armando is a retiree and had drawn down on his superannuation to pay some lawyers to help him start Supreme Court proceedings against a company who had scammed him out of his life savings. Unfortunately, the lawyers had to stop representing Armando when his funds ran out. Armando struggled to keep representing himself in the proceeds because the legal issues in his claim were very complex.

The Court ordered the parties to attend mediation under the Scheme, and Armando was referred to LawRight. One of our panel barristers agreed to represent Armando at the mediation, where they negotiated an agreement for the defendant company to pay Armando some compensation and have the Court proceedings dismissed.

Thanks to the Scheme and the assistance we were able to finally resolve a stressful dispute that had been in court for three years.

by Tracey Press

Sasha's Story - Online dating scam

Victim of an online dating scam, Sasha was left with an unpayable debt

Sasha’s Story

Sasha believed the man she met on the internet who said he loved her and promised to visit but ‘in the meantime could she help him?’ Some goods were delivered to her that she packaged and sent on. The police were soon involved and told her she’d been scammed but her real distress came when the supplier of the goods commenced court proceedings for almost $20,000. Sasha could only just afford the low-cost home loan she had through a First Nations service, had no other income and many debts. She was worried she would lose her home and felt angry and embarrassed. Sasha sought help from a community support service in Cairns and was connected to LawRight’s on-site service. They connected her to our pilot Magistrate Courts Service. Pro bono lawyers from Brisbane worked with her support workers to help Sasha prepare and file a defence. The plaintiff discontinued the proceedings.

Our Cairns office continued to support this process and in conversation with Sasha learnt her car loan debt was adding to her stress. The loan didn’t meet responsible lending standards and Sasha was again connected to Brisbane lawyers who negotiated a loan refund of $4500 and fairer repayments.

by Staff Editor