SMLS is shaping a fairer future through accessibility and engagement. We work with people and community groups disadvantaged by an unfair and inaccessible legal system.
Many of the problems we encounter on a day-to-day basis have legal solutions. Whether someone is facing family violence, or someone is not being paid properly at work, the law can make a huge difference in people’s lives.
We provide people with legal help, for example, giving people legal advice about their situation, or a duty lawyer supporting people at court. We also help people avoid legal problems by teaching them about the law through community projects. We work together with other organisations like councils, schools and health services to make sure people can get help when they need it most. We are also leaders in integrated service delivery.
We also work hard fight to change laws when they are unfair. Check out our advocacy page for more information about our law reform work.
The legal system is very difficult to navigate, and those who are already disadvantaged or vulnerable face even greater barriers when they have a legal problem. At SMLS, we aim to empower and support members of the community to understand and make use of the law and the legal system to protect their rights and to increase their awareness of their legal responsibilities.
We have been operating since 1973, when a small group of Monash Law Students and Academics opened a small phone advice legal clinic to help people who needed it to get access to legal assistance. We now operate across the South East of Melbourne. We have offices in Springvale and in Narre Warren, as well as several outreach locations where people can find us. There are no geographical restrictions to our service and people from anywhere in Victoria can ask us for help.
Our Vision
A fair and inclusive community where people can access the resources, networks and support they need to resolve legal issues and overcome barriers to social, cultural and economic inclusion and participation.
Our Mission
Working with vulnerable and disadvantaged community members, South-East Monash Legal Service contributes to a fair and just society by:
- Advising on legal rights and responsibilities;
- Advocating for systemic change;
- Collaborating with stakeholders &
- Educating law students as future advocates
Our Values
Respect
We build trust and feelings of safety and wellbeing in others by:
- Treating others the way we would like to be treated ourselves
- Acknowledging each person’s human rights and dignity
- Having empathy for the lived experience of others and showing compassion
- Embracing diversity and different perspectives
- Encouraging each other’s opinions and input
- Observing our organisation’s policies and procedures
- Being accountable, honest, and taking responsibility for our decisions and actions
Community
We work together for the benefit of our clients, staff, volunteers and students by:
- Supporting each other
- Being committed to our work and our role within the sector
- Ensuring our service delivery is informed by local voices
- working together with communities in our region to bringing about social justice
Excellence
We seek to be our best and achieve the best possible outcomes by:
- Maintaining the highest professional standards
- Evaluating what we do and looking for ways to improve
- Keeping an eye on the future and thinking strategically
- Being curious and maintaining a problem-solving and innovative mindset, and
- Adapting and adjusting to meet client and community need
Courage
We act with integrity by:
- Living our values
- Being prepared to tackle complex and challenging problems, and
- Taking a stand to support and defend human rights