Cybec Foundation increases support for Monash Law Clinics
Lawyer Assisted Family Dispute Resolution clinic students and supervising lawyers.
The Cybec Foundation has announced a substantial three-year grant to Monash Law Clinics that will bolster legal support services in regional Victoria. This philanthropic gesture will make a significant difference for access to justice in rural areas, addressing critical legal needs and fostering community well-being.
"Our heartfelt thanks to the Cybec Foundation for its generous funding to support our goals. We will not only be able to improve access to justice in regional Victoria but it also empowers students to achieve their dreams and positively influences our community as a whole," said Professor Marilyn Pittard, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Law.
The Cybec Foundation’s legacy of philanthropy
The Cybec Foundation, established by the visionary engineer and software inventor Roger Riordan, has a rich history of supporting diverse community initiatives. From the arts to medical research, and increasingly legal services, the foundation’s commitment to societal betterment is unwavering. Roger Riordan’s legacy is carried forward by The Cybec Foundation, who continue to champion causes that bring together disparate groups and enhance community cohesion.
The Cybec Foundation established a relationship with Monash Law Clinics four years ago, providing funding for the Lawyer Assisted Family Dispute Resolution clinic.
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a type of mediation which helps separated parents resolve disputes in relation to children with the assistance of an impartial mediator called a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP).
In this clinic, a student assists the supervising lawyer from Monash Law Clinics in a lawyer-assisted FDR (LAFDR) session and represents one of the parents during mediation. The other parent is represented by another lawyer from another Community Legal Centre (CLC).
Lawyer Assisted Family Dispute Resolution clinic supervising lawyers Irene Apap and Jennifer Lindstrom
Monash Law Clinics will address legal needs in Regional Victoria
Monash Law Clinics have been at the forefront of providing legal assistance through various specialised clinics since 1975. This new grant from Cybec will specifically support the expansion of these services into regional Victoria, an area identified as having significant unmet legal needs.
Melissa Fletcher is Senior Manager Partnerships and Clinics at Monash Law Clinics and very excited about what this funding will achieve.
“Access to justice in rural and regional areas is limited,” Fletcher explained.
“This grant allows us to build a sustainable service that can create a lasting benefit for these communities.”
The three-year duration of the grant is particularly noteworthy. Many short-term funding opportunities run out just when the program that they support is kicking into gear. This extended period of funding will enable Monash Law Clinics to hire dedicated staff, develop robust programs, and ensure the continuity of services.
“The gift of a three-year grant is that we can employ people and build something sustainable,” Fletcher said.
“It allows us to create a service that can continue to grow and adapt, even after the initial funding period ends.”
Tackling Coercive Control and Legal Lockouts
One of the critical issues that this funding aims to address is the problem of legal lockouts in regional areas.
“For someone living in regional Victoria, if they wanted to deny their partner access to assistance from a Community Legal Centre, they would go to each of the legal services in their area and register themselves for some advice. That precludes their partner from obtaining advice from those services, so they're basically locked out,” Fletcher said.
In many rural communities, individuals can be denied legal assistance due to these conflicts of interest, effectively locking them out of receiving necessary support. This issue, often a form of coercive control, was a key factor in Cybec’s decision to fund the project.
Beyond addressing immediate legal needs, the grant from Cybec also aims to tackle some of the root causes of legal issues, such as tenancy disputes, employment problems, and health-related concerns. By addressing these underlying factors, it is hoped that the funding can help to prevent situations that can lead to more severe legal problems, including family violence.
Empowering the Next Generation of Legal Professionals
The grant also provides valuable opportunities for Monash Law students, many of whom come from regional areas themselves. By participating in this initiative, students gain practical experience that they may later take back to their communities to continue making a positive impact.
The generous support from the Cybec Foundation marks a new chapter in the Monash Law Clinics’ efforts to promote social justice and access to legal services in regional Victoria. With a strong foundation and a clear vision, this partnership promises to bring about meaningful change and lasting benefits for the communities it serves.