Citizens Advice Bureau Level 1, 25 Barrack Street Perth WA 6000
Elena Mauen | manager@cabwa. com.au | (08) 9325 4217
www.cabwa.com.au
WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR CLC? Citizens Advice Bureau does not means test or impose other eligibility criteria on our potential clients. Accordingly, we have an extremely diverse range of clients, including vulnerable people. Our primary service is to provide information and referrals on a wide range of issues and not tell people “we don’t know”. We aim to empower our clients to make their own independent decision. We also have a lowcost legal and mediation service.
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY Which areas of law will clerks be exposed to? We assist clients who are experiencing relationship breakdowns, domestic violence issues, financial hardship, grief, trauma and who may also have literacy issues or English as a second or third language. Last financial year, we assisted approximately 65,000 clients, most of them received information and referrals directly provided by our volunteers.
What kind of tasks are student volunteers expected to undertake? A typical day in the life of a CAB Information & Referral volunteer includes time on the telephone, answering queries from our clients and booking appointments for our legal team. They’ll also spend time talking to clients face to face on our reception desk, handling cash and providing information and referrals. Duties include answering queries from clients on a wide range of issues (not always legal), provide information and referrals, book legal appointments, carry out conflict checks, record statistics and handle payments. In addition to this, volunteers are also required to perform some admin tasks. Exposure to clients is given face to face (Reception/Mediation) or on the phone (Infoline/Paralegal). What are the skills/benefits of taking a position at your CLC? Our Information & Referral volunteers are in direct contact with clients and able to conduct interviews to find out more information on the matter(s) clients need help with. Our volunteers are trained to assess the client’s
individual situation and provide the appropriate service, which includes information and referrals, booking legal appointments or suggesting options such as mediation. Volunteers/Law Students gain hands-on experience which allows them to associate concepts learnt at university with real life scenarios. Volunteer Paralegals work closely with the Principal Solicitor to draft legal documents such as Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney & Guardianship, Probate Applications, Letters of Administration and some Family Court documents. Full training and ongoing mentoring and support are provided. Do you offer any opportunity for graduates looking to do their Practical Legal Training? No.
APPLICATION PROCESS How can students apply? Via our website: http://www. cabwa.com.au/become-avolunteer Direct email: manager@cabwa. com.au Additionally, through advertised positions on Seek and Volunteering WA.
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