The University of Newcastle's annual 'Law on the Beach' pop-up clinic is kicking off on Wednesday the 22nd of January, offering free legal advice on all law matters, including bush fire insurance claims.
Staffed by lawyers, law and social work students, 'Law on the Beach' takes place at the Merewether Surf Life Saving Club each year aiming to improve accessibility to legal services.
Local solicitor Sarah Breusch is the Deputy Director of the University of Newcastle Legal Centre and one of the organisers of this years pop-up clinic.
"We hold it at the beach to get out into the community," Sarah Breusch says.
This year the beach-side clinic will also provide specific support for locals facing the prospect of claiming insurance after devastating bush fires ravaged properties across New South Wales, including in the Hunter.
"After the bush fires, people may have questions relating to insurance claims, or accommodation issues, or a range of things that may have come up as a result of the natural disasters we've been having," Sarah Breusch says.
'Law on the Beach' staff can advise community members on a wide range of legal matters.
Last year, the University of Newcastle Legal Centre opened the Older Persons Legal Clinic which provides free legal advise to elderly members of the community.
The 'Law on the Beach' pop-up clinic will offer another opportunity for people to get advice regarding elder abuse and care issues.
"It doesn't matter what sort of legal problem people have, they are welcome to come along and get some free legal advice," Sarah Breusch says.
The clinic also provides an opportunity for current law students to get practical experience with real clients under the guidance of professional lawyers.
"Law students are commencing their practical legal training as part of their law degree," Sarah Breusch says of the clinic.
Students will conduct interviews with clients, after which they will explain the issues to a qualified solicitor who then accompanies the student and provides legal advice back to the client.
All personal information is kept confidential by both the students and solicitors.
The 'Law on the Beach' clinic will operate weekly every Wednesday from the 22nd of January until the 19th of February between 9.30am and 2.30pm.
Image courtesy of University of Newcastle
