Peel Community Legal Services Inc

What is Peel Community Legal Services Inc?

Peel Community Legal Services Inc is a non-profit organization providing free legal assistance to low-income and disadvantaged residents throughout the Peel region of Western Australia. Established as a fully funded Community Legal Service in 2004, PCLS operates from its primary office in Mandurah with additional outreach services in Pinjarra, Waroona, and Byford, serving over 800 community members annually with a dedicated team of 11-50 employees committed to improving access to justice for vulnerable populations.

What services does Peel Community Legal Services Inc offer?

• Family Law Services: Comprehensive assistance with property settlements, children's matters, child support issues, and family domestic violence support including safety planning and legal protection
• Criminal Law Representation: Legal advice and representation for criminal matters including criminal injuries compensation claims
• Civil Law Assistance: Resolution of civil disputes, consumer credit and debt matters, and general civil litigation support
• Elder Rights Services: Preparation of wills, enduring power of attorney documents, enduring power of guardianship, and advanced health directives
• Tenancy Advocacy: Support for rental disputes, tenant rights education, and advocacy services for housing-related legal issues
• Employment Law Advice: Guidance on workplace rights, unfair dismissal claims, and employment contract disputes
• Welfare Rights Support: Assistance with Centrelink issues, social security appeals, and welfare entitlement matters
• Driver's License Matters: Legal support for license suspensions, traffic offenses, and related administrative issues

Why choose Peel Community Legal Services Inc as your lawyer?

Peel Community Legal Services Inc stands out through its commitment to providing completely free legal services to eligible community members, with over 250 matters directly related to family violence handled in the last financial year demonstrating specialized expertise in supporting vulnerable clients. The organization maintains NACLC accreditation and receives government support from both Commonwealth and Western Australian departments, ensuring professional standards and sustainable service delivery. Their comprehensive approach includes partnerships with Bridge Builders and Black Swan Street Doctors, enabling holistic support beyond legal advice. With convenient outreach locations throughout the Peel region and a dedicated team including a Family Law Coordinator with specialized FDV and mental health expertise, PCLS ensures accessible, trauma-informed legal assistance tailored to disadvantaged community members' needs.

Who are the attorneys at Peel Community Legal Services Inc?

The legal team at Peel Community Legal Services Inc is led by Michael Taljaard, who serves as Principal Solicitor overseeing all legal services and strategic direction. Milena van Vuuren works as a Restricted Practitioner providing specialized legal assistance within defined practice areas. Nicki Boxtel serves as Family Law Coordinator, bringing expertise in family domestic violence matters, mental health support, and clinical supervision to ensure comprehensive family law services. The organization operates under the leadership of Kathy Johnson as CEO, who manages the overall operations and community partnerships.

How much does Peel Community Legal Services Inc cost?

Peel Community Legal Services Inc provides all legal services completely free of charge to eligible clients who meet their criteria. To qualify for free services, clients must reside within the Peel region, demonstrate disadvantage (whether financial, cultural, health-related, or disability-based), and have an annual income under $55,000. The organization receives funding through the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department, Department of Justice Legal Assistance Branch, and Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, ensuring no fees are charged to qualifying community members seeking legal assistance.

Where is Peel Community Legal Services Inc located?

Peel Community Legal Services Inc operates from its main office at 61B Pinjarra Road, Mandurah, WA 6210, with office hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm (closed Wednesdays and weekends, with a lunch break from 12:30pm to 1:00pm). Contact the office at (08) 9581 4511 or email hello@peelcls.com.au. Additional outreach services operate on the first Wednesday of each month in Pinjarra, the second Wednesday in Waroona, and the fourth Wednesday in Byford, ensuring legal services reach throughout the Peel region for maximum community accessibility.