Bayside Community Legal Service Inc.

What is Bayside Community Legal Service Inc.?

Bayside Community Legal Service Inc. is a nationally accredited, non-profit community legal centre and registered charity established in 1992, incorporated in 1993, and based in Wynnum, Queensland. The organization is dedicated to building a culturally safe, just, and inclusive society by providing free legal services, education, and support to disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals in the Bayside and wider Brisbane communities. With a generalist legal practice model, the service is heavily supported by a dedicated team of over 80 volunteers, including solicitors, mediators, and law students, ensuring professional legal advice and assistance for those who would otherwise struggle to access it.

What services does Bayside Community Legal Service Inc. offer?

• Legal Advice, Information, and Referrals: Provision of free legal consultations and guidance on a range of civil, criminal, family, and consumer law issues.
• Mediation Services: Free mediation for family and civil matters, including cases with a history or risk of violence, utilized by local magistrate courts and community organizations.
• Community Legal Education: Delivery of legal education sessions, resources, and outreach programs to empower community members and raise legal awareness.
• Legal Tasks and Casework: Assistance with preparing legal documents and managing casework for eligible matters.
• Domestic & Family Violence Support: Specialized programs supporting victims, including child protection, with targeted education and resource provision.
• Criminal Law Assistance: Help with obtaining QP9s, applying for Special Hardship Orders and Work Licences, and addressing complaints about police or public officials.
• Family Law Services: Support with divorce, parenting matters, property division after separation, duty of disclosure, and grandparent involvement.
• Consumer and Debt Law: Guidance on consumer disputes and debt-related legal issues.
• Tenancy Law Advice: Assistance with residential tenancy disputes and issues.
• Outreach and Telephone Advice: Flexible service delivery via booked appointments, night clinics, and telephone advice, especially for Islanders and elderly clients.

Why choose Bayside Community Legal Service Inc. as your lawyer?

• Community-Focused Mission: Bayside Community Legal Service Inc. maximizes access to justice for disadvantaged and vulnerable people, ensuring everyone receives professional legal help regardless of financial status.
• National Accreditation and Recognition: The centre is nationally accredited, listed in Legal Aid Queensland’s directory, and has received grants for outstanding initiatives such as domestic violence support programs.
• Experienced Volunteer Network: The service is powered by over 80 experienced volunteers, including lawyers, mediators, and legal professionals, delivering high-quality legal support.
• Inclusive and Culturally Safe Practice: BCLS places a strong emphasis on cultural safety, diversity, and inclusive service delivery, serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other diverse demographics.
• No Means Test for General Services: Most services are accessible without a means test, increasing the likelihood that those in need receive timely legal assistance.
• Comprehensive and Free Services: From legal advice to mediation, BCLS offers a broad range of services at no charge, removing barriers to justice.
• Proven Community Impact: With over three decades of service and recognition from community and legal bodies, BCLS has a track record of making a real difference.

Who are the attorneys at Bayside Community Legal Service Inc.?

• Michael Stubbins (President): Volunteer solicitor with 50 years of public service experience, specializing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, and a long-standing leader at BCLS.
• Kate Fuller (Vice President): Practising barrister with expertise in criminal and family law, child protection, youth justice, and domestic violence, and an adjunct law lecturer.
• Paul Coves (Treasurer): Nationally accredited mediator and legal practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in litigation, dispute resolution, and commercial law.
• Eve Rowell (Secretary): Law clerk and BCLS executive with a focus on criminal law and child protection.
• Peter Goodwin (General Member): Senior legal practitioner and mediator, specializing in estate administration and complex property disputes, with over 40 years of experience.
• Vanessa Hernandez (General Member): Head of Legal at Australian Family Lawyers (Queensland), specializing in family law with 15+ years of experience.
• Kristen Hodge (General Member): Wiradjuri lawyer specializing in native title and cultural heritage, and President of the Indigenous Lawyer’s Association of Queensland.
• Margo Orbell (General Member, Team Leader Mediation Service): Accredited mediator and child-inclusive consultant with broad expertise in family and property dispute mediation.
• Danielle Dick (General Member): Specialist in complex family law matters and domestic violence, admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia.
• Gemma Adams (Solicitor): Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with extensive experience in family, criminal, employment law, and estate matters.
• Julianne Davies (Coordinator): Administrative leader connecting clients with volunteer and staff solicitors, mediators, and students.

How much does Bayside Community Legal Service Inc. cost?

Bayside Community Legal Service Inc. typically provides all core legal services free of charge to eligible clients, including legal advice, mediation, and education. No means test is applied for general services, ensuring that those in financial hardship or vulnerable situations receive timely and professional assistance without cost. The centre relies on limited funding sources, including government grants, donations, and bequests, to maintain its free service model.

Where is Bayside Community Legal Service Inc. located?

Bayside Community Legal Service Inc. is located at Level 1, Suite 04, Wynnum Community Centre, 105 Florence Street, Wynnum, QLD 4178, Australia. The service primarily serves the Bayside community and the wider Brisbane region. Appointments are essential for all services, including night clinics—no walk-in service is available.

• Phone: (07) 3162 3282 or +61 7 3162 3282 (international)
• Email: info@bcls.org.au | enquiries@bcls.org.au
• Website: https://bcls.org.au/
• Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram

Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, with Monday night clinic advice available by phone from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. The office is closed Friday to Sunday. Outreach and telephone services are available for specific client groups, including Islanders and elderly clients.