Hobart Community Legal Service

Aged Care & Elder Law

AGED CARE & ELDER LAW • CHILDREN & PARENTING

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Hobart, TAS

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40+ years Experience

4.1

Rating

Team

1985

Since

Aged Care & Elder Law Children & Parenting Court & Litigation Criminal Law

+61362232500

taslawhandbookeditor@gmail.com

Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm

Hobart Community Legal Service (HCLS) is a community organization providing free legal information, advice, and limited representation to the public in southern Tasmania. Established to empower...

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What is Hobart Community Legal Service?

Hobart Community Legal Service is a nonprofit community legal centre that provides free legal assistance to people in southern Tasmania who face barriers to accessing justice. Established in 1984, this registered charity operates as an independently governed organization committed to social justice and ensuring access to a fairer and more equitable legal system. The service maintains the Tasmanian Law Handbook, an authoritative online guide to law, and delivers comprehensive legal support through information, advice, representation, and referral services across southern Tasmania.

What services does Hobart Community Legal Service offer?

General Legal Assistance: Free legal information, advice, representation, and referral services for various legal matters
Welfare Rights Support: Specialized assistance with Centrelink issues, debts, and appeals for social security matters
Child Support Services: Dedicated support for carer parents navigating the Child Support Scheme
Family Law Information: General guidance for vulnerable women dealing with family law matters
Consumer Law Disputes: Resolution assistance for disputes with telecommunications providers, insurance companies, and credit providers
Criminal Law Representation: Support for traffic offences, minor criminal matters, and family violence cases
Family Violence Protection: Assistance with restraint orders, elder abuse cases, and domestic violence matters
Employment Law Advocacy: Legal help for workplace sexual harassment, discrimination, unfair dismissal, bullying, and wage disputes
Mental Health Legal Support: Specialized assistance for people with mental health conditions facing legal issues
Duty Lawyer Service: On-site representation at Magistrates Court, Liverpool Street, Hobart on weekdays
Prisoner Legal Assistance: Support for legal issues arising during incarceration
Discrimination Claims: Legal advocacy for discrimination matters
Community Legal Education: Speakers, workshops, training, and publications including brochures on debt, youth justice, and Centrelink

Why choose Hobart Community Legal Service as your lawyer?

Hobart Community Legal Service offers unparalleled accessibility to justice with completely free legal services funded through the National Legal Assistance Partnership. The organization's 40-year legacy of community service demonstrates proven expertise in assisting vulnerable populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, migrants, people with disabilities, and victims of family violence. Their comprehensive approach combines direct legal representation with community education, ensuring clients receive both immediate assistance and long-term empowerment through legal knowledge. The service's unique position as creator and maintainer of the Tasmanian Law Handbook establishes them as the authoritative source for legal information in Tasmania.

Who are the attorneys at Hobart Community Legal Service?

The legal team at Hobart Community Legal Service includes Paulina Wojciechowska, who serves as a Solicitor providing expert legal guidance across the service's practice areas. Oliver Anderson works as a Lawyer, contributing to the centre's mission of delivering accessible legal assistance to southern Tasmania's communities. Both professionals are supported by a volunteer Committee of Management that ensures the service maintains its commitment to social justice and community access.

How much does Hobart Community Legal Service cost?

Hobart Community Legal Service provides all legal information, advice, and services completely free of charge. This nonprofit organization receives funding through the National Legal Assistance Partnership between the Federal Government and the Tasmanian Government, along with additional revenue from donations, bequests, and investments. Clients face no fees, retainers, or hidden costs for any services, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent access to legal assistance.

Where is Hobart Community Legal Service located?

Hobart Community Legal Service operates from two locations in southern Tasmania. The Head Office is located at 166 Macquarie Street, Hobart, TAS 7000, phone (03) 6223 2500, with general office hours Monday to Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm and Friday 9:00am-1:00pm. The office features level access and wheelchair-friendly toilet facilities. The Bridgewater Branch is situated at Cove Hill Shopping Centre, Bridgewater, TAS 7030, phone (03) 6263 4755, open for general legal services Tuesday to Friday 9:30am-2:00pm. The service extends its geographic reach throughout southern Tasmania from Bicheno to Southport, including outreach services to Sorell, Clarendonvale, Huon, and Rokeby.

Client Reviews

4.1

28 verified reviews

peter bradley

Verified Client

a month ago

I write very highly about this Legal service. The receptionist is very courteous , & helpful, & always tried to put me through to the right person. Callum, A Solicitor in there, I cannot speak highly enough of. Without his expertise, in what was a complex matter, I do believe, that the outcome would have been considerably different, as with his advice, expertise, & help, I believe that I may not have had a very good outcome. Callum always put my mind at ease, & was always patient & prepared to listen to me , going out of his way , when I knew he was busy, but never rushing me or pushing me aside. when I needed a answer, to which he always gave. A credit to the Hobart community Legal service, as is the receptionist. Tasmania is very lucky to have not only this service, but the great people who work there. I cannot thank you enough Peter Bradley

Jamie shea

Verified Client

11 months ago

fantastic service Thank You, hopefully I won't be back

Toshiro Mifune

Verified Client

a year ago

I just needed a document signing witnessed. A lawyer in Glenorchy quoted $150 (which I can't afford) and I needed to make an appointment. The Hobart Community Legal Service said to drop by and I was done in 5 minutes and free of charge. Very happy and thank you.

Matthew Foster

Verified Client

a year ago

Couldn't help with my particular enquiry (retail business legality) but were able to point me in the right direction for the type of assistance I was chasing, staff were friendly and helpful.

Aman Handa

Verified Client

a year ago

None

Geoffrey Price

Verified Client

a year ago

Highly recommended for any criminal charges you have. Free, friendly and great service. Can't fault my lawyer Jason, did a great job with my case

Tania Cooper

Verified Client

a year ago

Free womens legal advice, very helpful, they take the time in explaining everthing you need to know

Bruce Bellette

Verified Client

a year ago

Very helpful

Bijaya Baidya

Verified Client

2 years ago

Berry helpful.

Julius Daguman

Verified Client

2 years ago

None

Stan Wilkinson

Verified Client

2 years ago

A visit to Hobart Community Legal Service is a Must. For ELDER Australians .I need of any Legal action or Advise. Leaves Our Legal Aid system for dead ..Very helpful and competent staff. 10 out of 10 for service and knowledge of how we get help. STAN WILKINSON APOLITICAL ENJOY

KAte Taylor

Verified Client

2 years ago

Open and honest communication without fees, what's not to love? Advice is sound and based on knowledge within the field of enquiry. I'm impressed with the initial meeting and contract agreement reached. Reassured that solicitor will look at legislation and government agency processes to see what my options are and next steps to take.

Joel Woolstencroft

Verified Client

2 years ago

Waste of my time, 4 appointments made, 3 cancelled with less than 2 hours notice and last one solicitor was a no show. I realise they are donating their time but extremely unprofessional.

Harley Bunbun

Verified Client

3 years ago

None

Brody King

Verified Client

3 years ago

None

Tee

Verified Client

3 years ago

Wasted my time

Lucy Star

Verified Client

3 years ago

No help there

Daniel “Fatboy38” Brown

Verified Client

4 years ago

Good ask for Alex

Tess Lane

Verified Client

4 years ago

Give easy to understand legal advice

Volchitsa Rascalov

Verified Client

4 years ago

None

Brett Hernan

Verified Client

4 years ago

Bridgewater opening hours are 9.30-12.30 Tuesday to Friday. The Bridgewater service, (as with the others), is a volunteer service, and as such an actual solicitor is not present at all times.

You will need to make an appointment to see the solicitor through the receptionist/secretary. These legal practitioners giving away their donated time deserves respectful appreciation by all.

By the same token, to the law society of Tasmania and the courts, how is the law advanced when only persons facing certain prison sentences qualify for state sponsored legal aid? This practice, of leaving people unrepresented on minor offenses boils down, strategically, to a great way to stagnate the relationship between the law and society and thus ensure contentious laws which need to be reformed, (such as adult recreational cannabis use and homegrown cannabis cultivation for the ill who cannot access (nor afford to try) legal medicinal cannabis prescriptions under the state's impossible difficult prescribing regimen requirements), remain legally unchallenged, to stand, forthwith.

As far as justice is concerned, this qualifies as an obstacle, and one utterly unfair.