Children & Parenting
Rating
Team
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
50 verified reviews
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.
None
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.
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.
They were very helpful and professional, and really nice to deal with.
No help
None
No thanks
Absolutely amazing. So helpful and professional
Adequate.
This place has helped me with advice and im looking at getting representation for my next court date with them. Fingers crossed.
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.
None
None
Very attentive and helpful
Unethical and unprofessional
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!
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
Excellent service and help.
Yih Laine and Emily have been amazing. Truely thankful for their help both went above a beyond. Thank you ! Definitely recommend
Great help
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.
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!
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
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.
None
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.
None
None
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 :)
None
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 .
None
Nice friendly staff and very helpful
Very good legal aid lawyers, highly recommend terry 😊
None
None
None
Great service and friendly staff thank you
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.
Good service and advice
None
None
Extremely professional. Friendly staff.
None
Offered no help or assistance, useless.
It's a good place
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
Useless !
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.
Peninsula Community Legal Centre
441 Nepean Hwy, Frankston VIC 3199
Frankston VIC
Phone
+61397833600
Fax
03 9770 5200
Website
Office Hours
Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm
By appointment available
Languages
English
Payment Methods
Cash, Card, EFTPOS
Payment plans available
Based on 50 reviews
Divorce & Separation
Family Property & Finance
General Legal Advice
Immigration & Visas
Property Development & Planning
Contact Peninsula Community Legal Centre for expert legal advice and representation.