Community Education - Reaching out to the Community
The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) is working to promote a greater understanding of the law by taking part in Law Week and also by running a number of educational seminars.
Organised by the LIV and the Victoria Law Foundation, more than 100 events will be held across the state as part of the 12-18 May Week – many of them free.
Law Week, which is supported by the City of Melbourne, promotes a greater understanding of the law, the legal system and the legal profession within the community generally.
The LIV has been involved in organising a number of events including:
- a free public seminar on planning for a secure future, looking at issues that older people, their family and friends need to consider in relation to living longer on Saturday, 17 May from 10am at the LIV, Bourke Street;
- a free public seminar on understanding family law, with a focus on separation and divorce, division of property, child support and the court process on Saturday, 17 May at the LIV, from 1pm; and
- a free, full-day workshop covering a range of topics including wills, owners corporations, and retirement villages at Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday, 15 May from 9am.
Bookings for all three events are essential.
Traditional highlights include the Monash Great Law Week Debate on Wednesday, 14 May and the Careers in Law Expo for budding lawyers on Tuesday, 13 May.
Rural Law Online, which offers plain language information on the law for rural communities and primary industry, will run a national “Drought Law Forum” where lawyers and counsellors will answer questions on drought relief programs in each state.
The art and architecture of the city’s grand legal precinct is also celebrated with free tours of the Supreme, County, Melbourne Magistrates’ and Children’s Courts at various times on Saturday, 17 May, a children’s art competition, a school poster competition and an Artists Reach Out exhibition.
The momentum will continue in the following week from 19-24 May with Arts Law Week, where members of the Victorian Arts Law Consortium present a week of seminars, workshops and advice clinics on legal issues relevant to artists and art organisations in Melbourne.
Many events at Law Week are free to attend, but bookings are essential. More information about times and dates, and a download of the program, is available at the Law Week website at www.victorialaw.org.au/lawweek
The LIV continues to reach out to the community with a number of free legal seminars on issues facing older people and family law.
LIV president Tony Burke said one of the aims was to ensure the community could easily access and navigate the complex legal system.
“I hope that the friends and families, as well as those who are approaching retirement take advantage of this opportunity for free advice,” he said.
Each seminar consists of an hour-long presentation followed by an opportunity for the audience to ask questions of a panel of legal experts.
Seminar details
Planning for a secure future
Tuesday, 6 May, from 2-3.30pm - Kohinoor Community Centre, corner of Sebastopol and Errard Streets, Ballarat
Tuesday, 13 May, from 11am-12 noon - Werribee Library, corner Heaths and Derrimut Roads, Werribee Plaza, Werribee
Saturday, 17 May, from 10.30am-12 noon - Tony Smith Lecture Theatre, LIV, 470 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Thursday, 22 May, from 6.30-8pm - Milleara Library, corner Buckley Street and Milleara Road, East Keilor
Understanding family law
Monday, 12 May, from 6.30-8pm - Werribee Library, corner Heaths and Derrimut Roads, Werribee Plaza, Werribee
Saturday, 17 May, from 1-2pm - Tony Smith Lecture Theatre, LIV, 470 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Tuesday, 17 June, from 12noon-1.30pm - Ballarat Library, 178 Doveton Street, Ballarat
Bookings are essential as number are limited.
RSVP to Tehani Suafoa on (03) 9607 9385 or email tsuafoa@liv.asn.au
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