Civil law – what’s that? – training for Aboriginal justice workers
13 Dec 2011
A training program for Aboriginal justice workers aims to keep Aboriginal people out of the criminal justice system.
Legal Aid NSW is rolling out a community legal education program – Civil law – what’s that? – to help prevent civil and family law issues from turning into criminal law matters. It is part of ensuring that Legal Aid NSW, and the justice system in general, meet the complex legal needs of many Aboriginal people.
The program responds to one of the key recommendations from the Civil and Family Law Needs of Aboriginal People in NSW – for Legal Aid NSW to train justice sector workers so they can identify their clients’ civil and family law issues when they present in the criminal justice system.
Training has been delivered in metropolitan and regional areas, including Redfern, Parramatta, the South Coast and Far West. Training in 2012 will take place in locations that will be identified in partnership with the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) and the Department of Attorney General and Justice.
Participants have said they feel ‘much more confident about helping a client with a civil law problem after the training’.
For more information contact Paula Novotna on (02) 9219 5840 or paula.novotna@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.