Duty Lawyer Service

Where and when:

• Ipswich Magistrates Court – Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00am
• Holland Park Magistrates Court – Wednesdays from 9:00am
• Caboolture Magistrates Court – Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am

What is a duty lawyer?
Duty lawyers provide free legal assistance to clients on the day of court by providing advice and some representation in court. WLSQ participates in the provision of these services each week at the magistrates courts listed above.

Who can WLSQ duty lawyers help?
Women appearing in court on the above listed days at the above listed courts.

Women not appearing in one of the above courts may still be assisted by a duty lawyer from another organisation (such as Legal Aid Queensland) or private lawyers who participate in the program. Clients should call the magistrates court registry where they are appearing to check what duty lawyer arrangements are in place at that court.

If a client has a domestic violence matter that is not listed in the above courts, a WLSQ lawyer can provide advice prior to the court date, however the lawyer will not be able to appear in court. For this advice clients should call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

How can WLSQ duty lawyers help?
WLSQ duty lawyers provide free advice and sometimes representation to women appearing in the above courts on the above days in domestic and family violence matters.

Duty lawyers do not assist with trials, drafting documents, or ongoing representation.

How can services refer women to the WLSQ duty lawyer service?
Services cannot provide warm referrals to the WLSQ duty lawyer service. Women appearing in any of the courts listed above, on the listed days, can present to the court and request to see a duty lawyer from WLSQ.

If they are not appearing in any of the courts listed above, or are appearing on a different day, they can call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday to request legal advice.