Peninsula Community Legal Centre

Peninsula Community Legal Centre

Children & Parenting

CHILDREN & PARENTING • CONTRACTS & AGREEMENTS
Frankston, VIC
48+ years Experience
3.6

Rating

Team

1977

Since

Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization providing free legal services to vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals in Melbourne's outer southeast since...

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What is Peninsula Community Legal Centre?

Peninsula Community Legal Centre is a not-for-profit community legal centre that has provided free legal services to Melbourne's south-eastern communities since 1977. The centre operates as an ACNC registered charity dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of individuals experiencing disadvantage, with a mission of "Justice for All" that serves residents across Frankston, Casey, Cardinia, Glen Eira, Kingston, and the Mornington Peninsula municipalities.

What services does Peninsula Community Legal Centre offer?

  • Free Legal Advice: Daily appointment sessions, weekly drop-in services, and telephone advice consultations covering family law, criminal law, civil law, and tenancy matters
  • Duty Lawyer Services: Professional court representation at Frankston Magistrates' Court and Moorabbin Justice Centre for eligible clients
  • Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program (TAAP): Specialized support for private rental, rooming house, and caravan park residents facing housing disputes
  • Family Violence Support: Comprehensive assistance including intervention orders, safety planning, and immigration services for family violence victims
  • Fines and Infringement Assistance: Help with toll road fines, parking tickets, public transport penalties, and Work and Development Permit (WDP) Scheme participation
  • Elder Law Clinic: Specialized services addressing elder abuse, wills, guardianship, and estate matters for seniors
  • Community Legal Education: Interactive programs including the award-winning "This is not who I want to be" theatre project educating students about family violence
  • Specialist Outreach Programs: StreetLaw Coffee Van mobile services and Strengthening Legal Pathways for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women

Why choose Peninsula Community Legal Centre as your lawyer?

Peninsula Community Legal Centre stands out through its 47-year track record of delivering accessible justice to vulnerable communities, having assisted over 7,225 clients with legal advice and managed 2,481 cases in a single reporting period. The centre's commitment to inclusive service delivery includes providing interpreting services through TIS (131 450) and maintaining multiple office locations across Melbourne's southeast. Their specialized programs target specific community needs, from homeless individuals to family violence victims, while their team of dedicated lawyers and 170 volunteers ensures comprehensive support. The centre's excellence in community engagement earned them the City of Casey's Community Group of the Year Award, demonstrating their proven ability to create positive outcomes for clients experiencing financial hardship, with 78% of clients earning less than $26,000 annually.

Who are the attorneys at Peninsula Community Legal Centre?

The legal team at Peninsula Community Legal Centre is led by Vinu Kumar, who serves as both Principal Solicitor and Director, bringing strategic leadership and extensive legal expertise to the organization. Karolina Wlodarczak works as both a Lawyer and Paralegal Coordinator, managing the centre's volunteer program while providing direct legal services to clients. The centre's legal workforce comprises 12 full-time and 17 part-time employees, supported by a robust network of 170 volunteers who extend the centre's capacity to serve the community.

How much does Peninsula Community Legal Centre cost?

Peninsula Community Legal Centre provides all legal services completely free of charge to eligible clients experiencing disadvantage. The centre receives funding from multiple government sources including the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, Department of Justice & Community Safety (Victoria), Victoria Legal Aid, and local councils across their service area. No fees are charged for legal advice, court representation, document preparation, or any other services offered by the centre.

Where is Peninsula Community Legal Centre located?

Peninsula Community Legal Centre operates from its head office at 441 Nepean Highway, Frankston, VIC 3199, with additional branch offices in East Bentleigh (751 Centre Road), Cranbourne East (65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road), and Rosebud (1375 Point Nepean Road). The centre maintains regular service locations in Frankston North, Glen Huntly, and Hastings, plus visiting services to Narre Warren, Pakenham, Dandenong, Chelsea, and provides home visits when needed. Contact the centre at 03 9783 3600 or 1800 064 784 (for 059 area residents), visit their website at www.pclc.org.au, or connect through their active social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Client Reviews

3.6

50 verified reviews

Harriet Ochsenbein

Harriet Ochsenbein

Verified Client
a month ago

I had the amazing, Claire assist me through an extremely difficult period of my life completing the submission of some consent orders. Claire was punctual, professional and detailed. Additionally, Claire has great soft skills and always kept me informed while providing support. Thank-you Claire for your time.

John David

John David

Verified Client
a month ago

None

Arian Tahmas

Arian Tahmas

Verified Client
8 months ago

Wasted one week waiting for the appointment as per their schedule, but no one showed up for the appointment, when I called them the receptionist said that the lawyer will call in two minutes. But no one called and they didn’t answer my calls again. They haven’t sent me any email or text to explain what happened and why they wasted my time for nothing. If you need some serious assistance, do not waste your time and hope on them.

Dayna Elizabeth

Dayna Elizabeth

Verified Client
9 months ago

Laura was a joke, couldn't provide any advice on where to find resources or information on the correct steps to take for a legal process. Pan handling me off to 'google it' when I should be getting the advice from her and not told to just search online. Furthermore she actually provided incorrect advice, particularly when it came to serving documents when I asked about the correct steps to take and what documents I need to sign and attach and she responded 'none' to which I said that incorrect, you need to attach a notice to defendant cover letter. She uhmmed and ahh'd a lot, unsure of what to say, until I got frustrated and asked how can I know more than her and is this going to be a waste of my time to which she promptly hung up. What a waste of my time.

H P

H P

Verified Client
a year ago

They were very helpful and professional, and really nice to deal with.

Riani Walker

Riani Walker

Verified Client
a year ago

No help

Belinda Price

Belinda Price

Verified Client
a year ago

None

Holistic healthcare unit

Holistic healthcare unit

Verified Client
a year ago

No thanks

Jo Westbury

Jo Westbury

Verified Client
a year ago

Absolutely amazing. So helpful and professional

Jane Malinowski

Jane Malinowski

Verified Client
a year ago

Adequate.

Damien Bell

Damien Bell

Verified Client
a year ago

This place has helped me with advice and im looking at getting representation for my next court date with them. Fingers crossed.

Thunder Boxer Run

Thunder Boxer Run

Verified Client
a year ago

THE SO CALLED LAWYER JOSEPH OR JOE OLIVER IS A INEPT INEFFECTUAL INCOMPETENT IDIOT. HE IS A FRAUDSTER. THIS SHAM MORON IS A FAKE LIAR. HE IS VERY CONDESCENDING AND HAVE INADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE. NOT FIT TO PRACTICE LAW ANYWERE. SHOULD BE SACKED FROM THERE. DESERVES BIG MINUS STARS.

kelly beardsmore

kelly beardsmore

Verified Client
a year ago

None

Margaret Deidre Weber

Margaret Deidre Weber

Verified Client
a year ago

None

Dr Wendy van Horssen-Wong

Dr Wendy van Horssen-Wong

Verified Client
a year ago

Very attentive and helpful

Mark Smythe

Mark Smythe

Verified Client
a year ago

Unethical and unprofessional

Lizzi Maserati

Lizzi Maserati

Verified Client
a year ago

Their services are free and you STILL don’t get what you pay for. Misandristic “lawyers” with extremely questionable ethics. I feel sorry for anyone who gets stuck with these incompetents, you’d be better off self-representing!

Garry Elsley

Garry Elsley

Verified Client
2 years ago

DANIEL HOMBSCH Firstly Daniel what a solicitor my son and I can't thank this man enough for he's service and tireless effort for my legal matter and then to take my son's legal matters on who's problems were complex and not so straight forward and then to add Steven Eley in to the situation men I can't thankyou enough for your time and effort you Blokes are amazing and you have my total Respect many thanks Yours truly Garry Elsley

Janine Davies

Janine Davies

Verified Client
2 years ago

Excellent service and help.

Leah Johnson

Leah Johnson

Verified Client
2 years ago

Yih Laine and Emily have been amazing. Truely thankful for their help both went above a beyond. Thank you ! Definitely recommend

Briellen Beardsmore

Briellen Beardsmore

Verified Client
2 years ago

Great help

marcia kani

marcia kani

Verified Client
2 years ago

I had a phone appointment with Tim who is very helpful and I'd like to thank him for his support. Keep up the great work Tim.

Candice Thomas

Candice Thomas

Verified Client
2 years ago

I had a great experience with Peninsula Community Legal Centre. I had Teddy represent me who was very professional, very calm and approachable. He made effort to get to know about me. Teddy, knowing I was anxious for the court proceedings, made sure I was supported. It was a great outcome and I thank Peninsula Community Legal Centre for their work. Thank you!

Selina Robinson

Selina Robinson

Verified Client
2 years ago

PCLC has been an amazing support for all my clients I have referred there. All have been rather anxious when attending court or seeking legal advice but the staff at PCLC have helped them every step of the way and explained what the worst and best outcome may be. All have had the best outcome. I recommend this service to anyone seeking legal support or advice. Special thanks to Sandy

Gail Pihlgren

Gail Pihlgren

Verified Client
2 years ago

I spoke with Lucy. She was very knowledgeable and helpful. Hoping she will act for me when I appear in January. . Update. Jennifer acted for myself and my parents. She was a nuclear bomb and we just think she's wonderful. Really great lot off people here who go above and beyond.

Maya Milosevic

Maya Milosevic

Verified Client
2 years ago

None

Mandy Broadhurst

Mandy Broadhurst

Verified Client
2 years ago

My son had debt problems he could not deal with due to a disability. For years this caused a great deal of distress and anxiety. Peninsula Community Legal Centre was very non-judgemental and were able to provide assistance. We will be forever grateful for their help and kindness.

Bianca Maestrale

Bianca Maestrale

Verified Client
2 years ago

None

Dave Singh

Dave Singh

Verified Client
3 years ago

None

Carmen Junkert

Carmen Junkert

Verified Client
3 years ago

Just had a phone appointment with Sandy. Thank you so much for your advice. I had a look into the matter and thanks to you I can solve it with less effort and less legal fees :)

Bryan Hohmann

Bryan Hohmann

Verified Client
3 years ago

None

Rocky Cumtano

Rocky Cumtano

Verified Client
3 years ago

Waited 1 week for my phone appointment and took day off for that as their timing clash with my work hours. I suppose to get call at 9.30am and they gave me miss call at 9.35 for literally half second. I thought it’s someone else I was keep waiting as the phone was in my hand the whole time. Then called them back after waiting to find out what’s going on and receptionist was trying to convince me that we called you and left msg for you now you called late so book again we are booked for the day . What a joke .

Bree Lamprell

Bree Lamprell

Verified Client
3 years ago

None

Trevor Goodrem

Trevor Goodrem

Verified Client
3 years ago

Nice friendly staff and very helpful

Elias Moussa

Elias Moussa

Verified Client
4 years ago

Very good legal aid lawyers, highly recommend terry 😊

Spirit Angel

Spirit Angel

Verified Client
4 years ago

None

Nadeera Gunawardena

Nadeera Gunawardena

Verified Client
4 years ago

None

gavin rock hard

gavin rock hard

Verified Client
4 years ago

None

Judith Lanyon

Judith Lanyon

Verified Client
4 years ago

Great service and friendly staff thank you

Eshanthi Fernando

Eshanthi Fernando

Verified Client
4 years ago

I required advice regards to vacating rental property before the lease end. The lawyer named Cathie Currie was awesome as she informed me all the possible things and she act accordingly to release the bond. Very professional and highly recommend.

Itsme3

Itsme3

Verified Client
4 years ago

Good service and advice

Elarya George

Elarya George

Verified Client
4 years ago

None

Abhi Sharma

Abhi Sharma

Verified Client
4 years ago

None

A. Sharma

A. Sharma

Verified Client
4 years ago

Extremely professional. Friendly staff.

Sahil Bahri

Sahil Bahri

Verified Client
5 years ago

None

Hamish McInnes

Hamish McInnes

Verified Client
5 years ago

Offered no help or assistance, useless.

Kim Richardson

Kim Richardson

Verified Client
5 years ago

It's a good place

Corey White

Corey White

Verified Client
5 years ago

Was told only a phone appointment was available for my matter. Requested an owners corporation experienced lawyer and got someone who had no idea about OC law and gave me less advice than the register at the court. Complete waste of tax payers money

Peduru Gonzalez

Peduru Gonzalez

Verified Client
5 years ago

Useless !

In-Justice

In-Justice

Verified Client
6 years ago

So here’s the joke.... When this utter disgrace of a mob treated a friend and I like idiots, spoke down to us like we were dirt, provided less than sub-standard “advice” (which was by an arrogant nasty “legal person” that had no listening abilities & thought they were gods gift) we lodged a formal complaint. Of course, it went nowhere, & they “protected their own” by banning us stating “conflict of interest” applies that can last up to 7 years!!

So, what’s the “joke”?.... a community legal service, not helping the community, that bans the community from receiving the very service the COMMUNITY IS PAYING THEIR TAX FUNDED WAGES FOR!!

So people.... don’t dare show any sign of disapproval of being treated like dirt, to their “gods” or you too may get banned! I guess dealing with valid customer concerns is not on their radar. What a joke. Grow up.

Contact Information

Peninsula Community Legal Centre

441 Nepean Hwy, Frankston VIC 3199

Frankston VIC

Phone

+61397833600

Fax

03 9770 5200

Website

Visit Website

Office Hours

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

By appointment available

Languages

English

Payment Methods

Cash, Card, EFTPOS

Payment plans available

Client Ratings

3.6

Based on 50 reviews

5 star
35%
4 star
40%
3 star
20%
2 star
4%
1 star
1%

Areas of Practice

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