Community Legal Services

Whittlesea Community Connections Community Legal Service provides free legal help to people who live, work or study in the City of Whittlesea and surrounding communities. Our legal team provides advice on many areas of the law as outlined below.

For legal assistance, please book an appointment with us by calling 03 9401 6666, submitting an online request or visiting our main office at  Level 1, Tenancy 1B, 571-583 High Street, Epping, Vic 3076.

We work with:

• First Nations People
• Young people
• Victim-survivors of family violence
• People experiencing financial difficulty
• Women and individuals facing difficulties in their families
• Migrants and people from a refugee background

We provide support with the following legal matters:

• Consumer complaints (products and services)
• Crimes compensation and Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)
• Criminal offences – summary (advice only)
• Family Law – Separation, Divorce & Parenting
• Family violence and intervention orders
• Fines/infringements
• Car accidents
• Neighbourhood disputes (fence, trees and pets)
• Traffic offences
• Wills, Power of Attorney, Medical Treatment Decision Maker

What is a Conflict of Interest?
A legal “Conflict of Interest” may arise where one person’s legal matter is related to a Legal Service Provider’s client. A Legal Service Provider may be unable to legally assist you where a conflict of interest arises, as that could compromise their client’s best interests. A Legal Service Provider practice could identify a Conflict of Interest at any time, even if they had already agreed to assist you.

If you are informed that we have a Conflict of Interest in your matter, please be aware that:
–  This does not mean we do not want to help you, but we cannot assist you further with your legal matter;
–  All legal practices are bound by the same Conflict of Interest rules.
–  We cannot provide any further information regarding the conflict; and
–  We suggest that you seek alternative legal advice or representation.

Referral Options  

Generalist Community Legal Services 

• Northern Community Legal Service – website or call 9310 4376 

• Fitzroy Legal Service – website or call 9419 3744 

• Eastern Community Legal Centre – website or call 1300 32 52 00 

• Other community legal services can be found through the Federation of Community Legal Centre’s website here.  

First Nations Legal Services 

• Djirra – website or call 1800 105 303 
• VALS – website or call 1800 064 865 
• Consumer Action Koori Help – website or call 1800 574 457 

Specialist Legal Services 

• Youth Law – website 

• Women’s Legal Service Victoria – website or call 1800 133 302 

• Seniors Rights Victoria – website or call 1300 368 821 

• Tenants Victoria – website 

• Consumer Action Law Centre – website or call 1800 466 477 

• National Debt Helpline – website or call 1800 007 007 

• Working Women’s Centre – website or 1800 992 842 

• Disability Discrimination Legal Service – website or call 9654 8644 

• Job Watch – website or call 9662 1933 

• InTouch Legal Centre – website or call 1800 755 988 

• Social Security Rights Victoria – website or call 1800 094 164 

• Asylum Seeker Resource Centre – website or call 9326 6066 

• Mortgage Stress Victoria – website or call 1800 572 292 

• Mental Health Legal Centre – website or call 9629 4422 

Victoria Legal Aid 

• Website 

• Call 1300 792 387 

Other Legal Referrals 

• You can find details of private legal firms in your area through the Law Institute of Victoria’s Lawyer Referral Service website.  

Feedback and Complaints 

If you would like to provide feedback or make a complaint about our legal service, please complete our Feedback or Complaint Form found here.  

You may also raise your feedback or complaint with the staff member who assisted with your matter.  

If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to escalate a complaint about our legal services, you may file a complaint with the Victorian Legal Services Commissioner: 

Victorian Legal Services Commissioner  

Web: www.lsbc.vic.gov.au 

Email: admin@lsbc.vic.gov.au  

Phone: 03 9679 8001  

GPO Box 492 Melbourne VIC 3001  

Level 5, 555 Bourke Street