Queensland Law Society Media Release

Queensland legal profession celebrates and promotes access to justice during Law Week

Ensuring enhanced access to justice is central to this week’s Law Week 2010 (17-23 May) activities, Queensland Law Society President Peter Eardley said today.

“Kicking off law week with the Walk for Justice today (Monday 17 May) has certainly set the tone for the week’s activities, which aim to highlight the continuing need for government, the courts, lawyers and legal authorities to continue to work to improve a Queenslander’s access to justice,” he said.

“National Pro Bono Day, also today, recognises the commitment of the legal profession to providing pro bono services, an essential element of the access to justice issue.”

The Queensland Law Society is a sponsor of the Walk for Justice organised by the Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House (QPILCH), an orgainsation dedicated to ensuring that pro bono (without charge) legal assistance reaches those in need.

The Chief Justice of Queensland, Paul de Jersey AC, led today’s walk with an estimated 500 participants. He was joined by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Cameron Dick, senior members of the judiciary, Queensland Law Society President, Peter Eardley, and CEO Noela L’Estrange, together with many other legal practitioners committed to supporting the effort.

Similar walks are being held in London, Manchester, New York, Australian state capitals and Townsville.

“The Queensland Law Society is also working proactively with the Law Council of Australia and other law societies in a campaign which seeks to persuade the Federal Government to guarantee that the legal aid system is adequately funded and that there is a nationally consistent and fair approach to the provision of legal aid and access to justice for all,” Mr Eardley said.

“We are heartened by the Government’s recognition of this issue and its injection of $154 million into the legal assistance sector over the next four years, including $92.4 million for legal aid funding, yet this is much less than the investment needed to restore funding levels to those of a decade or so ago.

“By the time you break these amounts down, it means a very modest $5.4 million for legal aid in Queensland over the next four years, with $3.6 million of that over the next year. I urge all governments to make increasing funding for access to justice a priority.

“The commitment of Queensland lawyers to ensuring that the disadvantaged have equitable access to justice will continue to grow and we already outstrip other professions in our dedication to the provision of pro bono services to those who need it most.”

Other Law Week activities include a hypothetical courtroom trial and regional events.

In Brisbane, the Queensland Law Society will provide information on legal topics and guidance on law as a career choice at the Brisbane Magistrates Court open day on Saturday 22 May. It will also introduce the public to its schools and community education website (sces.qls.com.au) and new legal ethics website (ethics.qls.com.au).

For Law Week information , see lawweek.com.au. For Queensland Law Society events, see sces.qls.com.au. Also check local media for information on regional activities.