Page updated on: Tuesday February 26, 2008
The Wellington Community Law Centre relies on volunteers to help us provide our free legal advice and other services. Our free legal advice sessions are staffed by volunteer lawyers and senior law students. From time to time we also have have volunteers working on a variety of projects. If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering at the centre contact geoffrey@wclc.org.nz.
Our free legal advice sessions are staffed by volunteer lawyers and we are always keen to hear from lawyers who are interested in volunteering. There are six general free legal advice sessions each week, along with a number of specialist advice sessions. Volunteer lawyers are usually rostered on either fortnightly or monthly in a group of 3-4 lawyers and four law students. Training sessions for new volunteer lawyers are held twice a year. After completing the training, we will arrange for new volunteers to undertake buddy sessions. This allows new volunteers to work alongside exisiting volunteers before coming onto the roster. If you are interested in volunteering for our general free legal advice sessions contact geoffrey@wclc.org.nz.
At our free legal advices sessions all volunteer lawyers are assisted by volunteer senior law students. To volunteer at the centre, law students need to have completed their compulsory second year papers. There are six general free legal advice sessions each week, along with a number of specialist advice sessions. Volunteer students are usually rostered on once or twice a month in a group of four law students who assist 3-4 volunteer lawyers. Our student volunteer training takes place twice a year. This involves training on the law centres systems, legal topics and communication and listening skills. Once students have completed the training they come onto the roster and assist our volunteer lawyers. Any law students interested in volunteering can contact geoffrey@wclc.org.nz.
RILAS is one of the specialist free legal advice services run weekly by the centre. The service was initiated in partnership with the Refugee and Migrant Service and was developed to respond to the difficulties refugees, migrants and community workers experience dealing with immigration matters. Volunteers deal with initial inquiries relating to all aspects of immigration law and policy and are usually involved in ongoing advocacy for clients with family reunification matters. RILAS sessions are staffed by volunteer lawyers and law students who volunteer once a month. All volunteers undergo a comprehensive training programme which is usually run once a year. After completeing the training programme RILAS volunteer lawyers are buddied with a senior volunteer lawyer before coming onto the roster. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the RILAS service please contact geoffrey@wclc.org.nz.