Street Law is a free outreach legal service for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Western Australia.
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A big thank you to Brenna!![]()
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After a great six months with Brenna, we had to say goodbye to her recently. Brenna is a secondee from Corrs Chambers Westgarth Careers who has been seconded to us to provide much needed legal support and assistance to the Street Law team. Brenna worked closely with our Principal Solicitor, Ann-Margaret, and attended our weekly legal clinic at Uniting WA’s Tranby centre. ![]()
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Brenna shared the following about her time with us:![]()
“Street Law is such a supportive environment. I’ve loved being here and I’m sad to be leaving. Ann-Margaret was always helpful and approachable, as was Anna and the other solicitors. Thank you for a wonderful 6 months!”![]()
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Thank you for your contribution to Street Law, your assistance and Corrs Chamber Westgarth’s continued support is integral to our service.
Homelessness week may have come and gone for 2023, but for people experiencing homelessness it does not end for them until everyone has a safe and permanent place to call home. ![]()
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Uniting WA delivered some powerful messages during Homelessness Week. The messages included:![]()
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⏹ Homeless? We want you to know that you matter and people care![]()
⏹ Never be ashamed of sleeping rough. It’s not who you are![]()
⏹ Not having an address does not mean your life is worth less![]()
⏹ If you’re out in the cold, please know there is hope and help![]()
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These messages are important because a person is not defined by their experience of homelessness.
TRUE OR FALSE THURSDAY!![]()
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FALSE: Ignoring fines and infringements is never a good idea. Not only will the outstanding debt increase over time and be referred to a debt collector, but it can also impact on your right to drive. ![]()
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When a person has outstanding fines and infringements, an enforcement warrant can be issued. An enforcement warrant allows the Fines Enforcement Registry to wheel clamp your vehicle, remove your vehicle registration plates, seize and sell your personal property, and deduct money from your wages. An enforcement warrant also provides the Fines Enforcement Registry to remove your right to drive or obtain a licence by issuing a licence suspension order. ![]()
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We know it can be overwhelming when you have outstanding fines and infringements, especially if you are experiencing personal or financial hardship. However, there are options for you. For outstanding court fines there are options, time to pay, work and development permit and a fine expiation order. For infringements the only option available is a time to pay arrangement available, that allows a person to repay their outstanding debt in fortnightly installments that is consummate with your financial position. The time to pay option for infringements can commence once the infringement has been registered with the Fines Enforcement Registry.
Thank you, Nicole!![]()
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For the past six months Nicole has been with us every Tuesday being seconded from MinterEllison. Nicole assisted with our fortnightly legal clinic at St. Patrick's Community Support Centre in Fremantle and worked on ongoing casework for our clients. ![]()
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On reflecting on her secondment, Nicole shared the following with us:![]()
“I am passionate about ending homelessness so getting to play an active role in alleviating some of the stressors that are placed on people experiencing this (or at risk of) was very fulfilling and satisfying. I think Street Law is amazing and do such important work for the community. It is great to know that those experiencing or at risk of homelessness are not left to fend for themselves but have access to advocates who can fight on their behalf. It is a shame that Street Law lacks resources.”![]()
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Thank you, Nicole, for your hard work and the contribution of 184 pro bono hours to our service. A big thank you to Minter Ellison for your ongoing support of our service.
We strongly support the Identity Day Campaign, which calls for today to be International Identity Day.![]()
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September 16 is highly symbolic as it is in commemoration of the United Nation’s sustainable development goal 16.9 which calls for the provision of legal identity for all by 2030. This stems from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 6, that establishes legal identity as a basic human right. ![]()
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Having proof of one’s identity is a fundamental human right and is a practical necessity to participate in society freely. Having documents that demonstrate your identity from birth ensures that rights and access to services are protected. ![]()
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Identity documents for all is a legal area Street Law is very passionate about as people experiencing homelessness commonly do not have access to their legal identity documents. Through our legal expertise and advocacy, we assist our clients to establish their legal identity and obtain the necessary documents. Without access to identity documents a person will not be treated fairly and equally when interacting and seeking to obtain basic services, including accommodation, and will face social isolation in the community. We are protecting and advocating for the right to identity by ensuring our clients have access to their identity documents.![]()
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#InternationalIdentityDay #IdentityDocuments
