This is a class collaborative project to give information about ADR for people who need assistance to solve a legal dispute, but who do not want to go to court. The information relates to the Mornington Peninsula and surrounding area. This slideshow has been compiled by Unit 2 Legal Studies at Toorak College.

1. A L T E R N A T I V E D I S P U T E R E S O L U T I O N O P T I O N S
ACCESS TO LEGAL HELP
IN VICTORIA
Compiled for your assistance by the
Toorak College Unit 2 Legal Studies Class 2013

2. ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE
There are many ways for you to get help with legal advice
and support.
We have put together this informative slideshow to help
you quickly work our which support service suits your
needs.
We live on the Mornington Peninsula so these are the
services closest to us.
Don’t put up with ongoing disputes or others taking
advantage of you – help is out there - you just have to ask.

3. VICTORIAN CIVIL ADMINISTRATIVE
TRIBUNAL
VCAT’s purpose is to provide Victorians with a low cost, accessible, efficient and independent tribunal delivering high quality
dispute resolution.
VCAT consists of three divisions:
1. Civil Division
2. Administrative Division
3. Human Rights Division
VCAT’s vision is to be ‘an innovative, flexible and accountable organisation which is accessible and delivers a fair and efficient
dispute resolution service’.
Hearings are conducted at 55 King Street, Melbourne, as well as at a range of venues in suburban and regional Victoria.
The Civil Division hears and determines a range of civil disputes relating to:
consumer matters
domestic building works
legal services
owners corporation matters
residential and retail tenancies disputes
sale and ownership of real property, and
use or flow of water between properties.
(03) 9628 9830
Toll Free: 1800 133 055 (Country callers only)
55 King Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Australia
GPO Box 5408 Melbourne Vic 3001
Ausdoc DX 210576 Melbourne
www.vcat.vic.gov.au/

4. COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES
The community Legal Centres in Victoria are not-for-profit organisations that provide legal advice
to the community.
They provide help with child support, credit and debt, environmental law, welfare rights, mental
health, disability discrimination, tenancy, immigration, employment and the arts.
There is also aid for particular groups such as Aboriginal people, refugees, prisoners and the
homeless.
They help people who are facing social and economic disadvantage and have nowhere else to
go.
There are around 200 Community Legal Centres in Victoria. The Peninsula Centres are at:
PENINSULA COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE (VIC)
441 Nepean Highway
T: (03) 9783 3600
F: (03) 9770 5200
FAMILY MEDIATION CENTRE
4/1001 Nepean Highway Moorabbin, VIC 3189
ST KILDA LEGAL SERVICE [32.49km]
PENINSULA COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE (VIC) - ROSEBUD BRANCH
1375 Point Nepean Road

5. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT CENTRES
Dispute Settlement Centres are a part of the Vic Department of Justice and
provide free and confidential dispute resolution services to all Victorians.
Dispute Settlement Centre Victoria offers dispute resolution advice, conflict
coaching and mediation services.
The Dispute Settlement Centre can help resolve disputes about:
· Fences, trees, animals, noise and drainage
· Anti-social behavior
· Workplace issues
· Matters referred to mediation by a magistrate
· Committees or clubs
The Dispute Settlement Centre, in Victoria, can be found at:
Level 4, 456 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 9603 8370
Fax: 9603 8355
http://www.disputes.vic.gov.au/

6. CONSUMER AFFAIRS VICTORIA
Consumer affairs Victoria provides advice, education programs and conduct
conciliation to help Victorians be responsible and informed about businesses and
their rights as consumers.
To do this, they review and advise the state government on consumer legislation and
industry codes.
They also work with tenants, businesses and landlords on their rights, responsibilities
and changes to the law and register and license businesses and occupations.
They also enforce and ensure compliance with consumer laws.
Contact them at the Victorian Consumer & Business Centre:
113 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
1300 558 181
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/contact-us/find-your-nearest-office/metropolitan-
melbourne-office

7. VICTORIAN LEGAL AID
Victorian Legal Aid provides free legal advice and the ability to apply for a grant of
legal assistance to all Victorians, with a focus on prevention and early resolution of
legal problems.
Roundtable Dispute Management helps parents who are going through separation or
divorce to help resolve family disputes.
They help in areas regarding:
- Civil justice
- Family law
- Criminal law
- Chambers (specialist group of in house criminal, family and civil law
advocates).
Victorian Legal Aid
350 Queen St Melbourne VIC 3000 GPO Box
Tel: 1300 792 387
http://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/

8. LAW INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA
The Law Institute of Victoria is the highest body for the Victoria legal profession. It is
able to influence reforms to the justice system to better serve the needs of the
Victorian community.
· Leadership and Representation - promotes an active public debate on issues
impacting the legal profession and the broader community.
· Education and Professional Development – provide structured learning
outcomes through in-depth workshops and conferences.
· Ethics and Professional Excellence – involved in ensuring standards of
professional excellence of legal practice in Victoria.
The Law Institute of Victoria helps the community by:
• Making career material freely available
• Have speakers available free of charge
• Seminars are conducted on a range of issues and and are available to the general
public
The Law Institute of Victoria
470 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
GPO Box 263 Melbourne Vic 3001DX 350
Phone: 9607 9311
www.liv.asn.au

9. HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Aims to make human rights part of every day life and to empower people to understand and
exercise their rights.
Works with individuals, businesses and the government to inspire action and keep up human rights
standards.
Helps people resolve complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation and racial or
religious vilification through a free, fair and timely 'dispute resolution' service.
Aims to achieve mutual agreement between the parties involved in the dispute.
Helps to educate people about their rights and responsibilities.
Provides free consultations and a free phone enquiry line so they are always available to help.
VICTORIAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSSION Level 3, 204 Lygon
Street Carlton VIC 3053
1300 292 153 or (03) 9032 3583
http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au

10. OMBUDSMAN
An independent, impartial officer who investigates any complaints
regarding state government departments, statutory authorities and local
government It is a free and impartial service available to everyone.
Reviews the lawfulness of agencies’ actions or decisions as well as the
reasonableness/fairness of their claims.
Any member of the public can make complaints to the Ombudsman and
the services are free.
Their powers to conduct investigations are very broad but they do not
intervene until the concerns have been raised with the responsible
government authority.
VICTORIAN OMBUDSMAN Level 9, North Tower 459 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
0396136222 http://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au

11. VICTORIA LAW FOUNDATION
Not-for-profit organisation that helps people find information about
the law and legal services in Victoria.
Provide access to resources about the legal system and the legal
issues that affect Victorians in theireveryday lives.
Resources available include factsheets, booklets, books and web
pages that are free to download from the website
provide legal services and education to the public for free.
VICTORIA LAW FOUNDATION Level 5, 43 Hardware
Lane Melbourne VIC 3000
03 9604 8100
http://www.victorialaw.org.au

12. VICTIMS OF CRIME HELPLINE
Represents victims of crime and coordinates an approach
to services for victims.
Helps to guide victims of crime through the justice system
and informs parties about keeping safe, their rights, and
where to get help.
Funds statewide services to provide counseling and
assistance to help victims of violent crime recover from the
effects of crime and to ensure they receive personalised,
timely and effective support.
VICTIMS OF CRIME HELPLINE 1800 819 817
http://www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au

13. MORE HELP
• Kids’ Helpline 1800551800
• Family Relationship Centres – offer Counselling, legal advice
and mediation
• Justice Service Centres – offer services such as consumer
advice, mediation, dispute resolution through the dispute
settlement centre of victoria, the sheriff’s office, corrections
victoria and the regional Aboriginal justice advisory
committee
• Public interest law clearing house – non- profit public interest
legal centre, coordinating the pro bono work of legal
profession or on a reduced fee basis. (eligibility test for this
support).
• Victorian aboriginal legal service – provides a full range of
legal services to indigenous people and their spouses or de
facto spouses. Staffed by salaried workers

14. GOOD LUCK
We hope that this information was of some assistance
to you.
All the best to you from TC U2LS 2013