The Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) is a not-for-profit legal referral service, operated from Melbourne

Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

, Victoria

Victoria (Australia)

Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. PILCH coordinates pro bono legal assistance for Victorian not-for-profit organisations and individuals. Since 1993 it has aimed to improve access to justice in Victoria by facilitating pro bono

Pro bono

Pro bono publico is a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms...

 legal services to those otherwise unable to obtain it.

History

PILCH was founded in 1994, following the model of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Inc. is a non-profit civil rights law firm located in New York City, specializing in the areas of disability rights, access to health care and environmental justice....

.

Schemes

Several schemes are run beneath the PILCH banner. Each scheme receives request for assistance, and refers cases to its members after establishing that certain criteria are met. The schemes are:

• the PILCH Legal Assistance Scheme, which provides assistance where this would be in the public interest;
• the Law Institute of Victoria
  Law Institute of Victoria
  The Law Institute Victoria is a legal society in the Australian State of Victoria. It is the professional association for solicitors in Victoria, making rules to regulate their practice, and representing them to governments and other bodies. The Institute was founded in 1859...
  
   Legal Assistance Scheme, which provides solicitors to individuals in need of advice but ineligible for Legal Aid; and
• the Victorian Bar
  Victorian Bar
  The Victorian Bar is the bar association for the Australian State of Victoria. Its members are barristers registered to practice in Victoria. On 19 January 2006, there were 1627 counsel practising as members of the Victorian Bar. Once a barrister has been admitted to practice by the Supreme Court...
  
   Legal Assistance Scheme, which provides barristers to those in need of representation, but unable to obtain this through Legal Aid.

Projects

PILCH coordinates other legal initiatives, including:

• the Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic, which provides pro bono legal advice to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness; and
• the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, which aims to promote human rights through legal practice;
• Senior Rights Victoria, a specialised legal service for older people; and
• PILCH Connect, a clinic focusing on legal issues facing not-for-profit organisations.

Casework

Significant referrals made through PILCH and its associated projects include:

• Evelyn Rannstrom's discrimination claim against the Dandenong Ranges Junior Football League and the Australian Football League
  Australian Football League
  The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
  
  ;
• Neville Austin's claim for compensation against the Victorian government, the first case in which a member of the stolen generation has sought compensation from the government since Kevin Rudd's
  Kevin Rudd
  Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
  
   apology;
• Vicky Roach's challenge to the constitutionality
  Australian constitutional law
  Australian constitutional law is the area of the law of Australia relating to the interpretation and application of the Constitution of Australia. Several major doctrines of Australian constitutional law have developed....
  
   of a law preventing all prisoners from voting in federal elections;
• the Islamic Council of Victoria's case against Catch the Fire Ministries, the first complaint made under Victoria's Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001
  Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001
  The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 was implemented by the Steve Bracks' Labor government in the state of Victoria, Australia. It was effective from 1 January 2002.-The Act:The explicit purposes of the Act are:...
  
  (Vic); and
• Ralph Hahnheuser's defence of a civil suit brought against him by a live export company for damages, following his protest action.

Awards

PILCH has received the following awards in recognition of its work:

• The 2007 Business 3000 Community Responsibility Award

External links

• PILCH website
• Address by Spiegelman CJ of the Supreme Court of NSW discussing PILCH