MANY Melton residents in need of free legal advice are missing out because they aren’t aware of the services offered by the Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre.
Principal solicitor Khanh Nguyen says the free service is open to Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Brimbank residents needing advice or referrals for family law, divorce, car accidents, fines, criminal and civil debt matters.
“We are looking to extend to five days a week,” he said. “But of the two days we are open we are getting booked out – as well as getting drop-ins.”
Community legal centres usually focus on non-commercial cases, but Mr Nguyen has been instrumental in helping small, struggling businesses with matters including debt, lease advice, permits and registrations.
“I’d like to encourage small business owners in Melton to come and get legal advice before they get into big financial debts they can’t get out of,” he said.
Mr Nguyen said there had been an increase in the number of clients who weren’t aware of tenants’ rights who could have been helped earlier. “There are a lot of shonky landlords out there and tenants aren’t fully aware of their rights.”
Mr Nguyen said he was passionate about family law and women’s rights.
“I had a very sad case. She needed more counselling rather than legal because she had come to believe that family violence was a way of life,” he said.
“She couldn’t speak English and had recently given birth. Her head had been bashed against a wall and she was kicked in her womb and hospitalised. It’s terrible that people are suffering like this in Australia.”
Mr Nguyen said that after being referred by Victorian Legal Aid the woman and her child were now safe and well.
The service is at suite 6, 3 Alexandra Street, Melton.
Details: 83122000 or communitywest.org.au
