2017/2018 saw our second year of providing a family violence duty lawyer service to the Ararat and Stawell Magistrates’ Court. Our increased service has been embraced by Court staff, Victoria Police and local practitioners in the region; as such we saw an increase in client numbers for 2017/2018.
In December 2017 the Ararat Magistrates’ Court closed for renovations to improve facilities for victims of family violence. It was anticipated that the Court would be closed for about 6 months and in the meantime all matters were heard in Stawell.
The Stawell Magistrates Court was kept very busy for the first half of 2018, hearing its regular list as well as all Ararat matters. The not so new, but definitely improved Ararat Court reopened in the middle of the year. There were renovations to the waiting areas with purpose built, separate entrances for family violence victims as well as increased number of interview rooms. The renovations have significantly improved safety for Court users and increased comfort during an often difficult time. Our family violence duty lawyer service was able to provide advice to clients for family violence or family law matters and provide representation to clients on their day in Court. During 2017/2018 we represented 98 clients in 133 matters. Overall, we were able to assist a significant number of clients to enable their matters to be resolved promptly and increase access to our service in the Grampians region.
We are grateful to the Court Staff, Victoria Police team and Prosecution and Victoria Legal Aid for their support and ongoing assistance.
Ararat Court
Photo courtesy of Magistrates' Court Victoria
Stawell Court
Photo courtesy of Magistrates' Court Victoria
The Family Violence Duty Lawyer is supported by the Victorian Government.