Women’s Legal Service Tasmania is a community legal service funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, operating since 1996. We provide a free, statewide holistic service to women, trans and non-binary people needing legal services and support, financial counselling and social work support. We also advocate for systems changes and challenge the culture that normalises gendered violence through our community education.

We apply a collaborative feminist approach to all our work, recognising that women, trans and non-binary people face barriers accessing justice due to power imbalances in our economic, social, political and legal systems. We support those who would otherwise not have access to the justice system, in particular women, trans and non-binary people who experience violence, disadvantage and discrimination.

Our Vision: Women, trans and non-binary people in Tasmania live in a safe, caring and just community.

Our Purpose: We exist to ensure all women, trans and non-binary people can exercise self-determination in a system that promotes their economic, civil, social and cultural rights.

Our Values: are Empowerment; Courage; and Diversity.

WLST can help all women, those who identify as women and non-binary people, who live anywhere in Tasmania. 

Please note that we are not able to offer second opinions when you already have a lawyer or are in receipt of a current grant of Legal Aid. WLST also has a team of social workers and financial counsellors who can work alongside you and your lawyer to support you through the legal process.

We can help with domestic and family violence, family law (separation, divorce, and parenting matters), employment (including sexual harassment and unfair dismissal), child protection, victims of crime compensation, and discrimination. 

WLST does not help with criminal law problems, or wills and estates.

No. WLST lawyers can give you information about your legal rights and options, and it is your choice what you would like to do next.

Call the WLST Helpline on 1800 682 468 to speak with our specially trained Intake team. They can provide information and referrals to all women and, if appropriate, book a legal advice appointment with a WLST lawyer.

Sometimes, WLST cannot help you. This might be because:

• We do not have a lawyer available to help you at this time.

• We cannot help with that area of law. 

• We have a conflict of interest.

If we cannot help you, our team will do our best to direct you to a service which can help.

Legal advice and representation services are free to eligible clients.

No. We need to speak directly to the person seeking advice so that we can collect the relevant information and provide accurate and complete advice.

We are able to help with court representation in domestic violence applications, family law matters, child protection matters, and employment matters for WLST clients. 

If you need to go to court, call the WLST Helpline on 1800 682 468 as soon as possible to talk to a lawyer and find out how we can help.

We usually allow for 45 minute appointments, but they can be shorter or longer, depending on your legal problem. 

Appointments can be by phone or in person at one of our offices or at another service that we visit, for example a Child & Family Learning Centre (CFLC) or Neighbourhood House.  Appointments are available from Monday to Friday. You might need to wait up to a week for an appointment, depending on how many bookings we have.

Where needed, you can bring children to our offices. However, we do ask if possible that you let us know if you need to do this so that we can plan the appointment for a time and place that works best for everyone.

If possible, bringing another safe female adult who can supervise your children while you are in the appointment will help to ensure their comfort while you are speaking to our staff. 

WLST is committed to supporting, enhancing and upholding the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children and young people. We have a range of child safeguarding principles to make sure you that your children and our staff stay safe.

WLST is committed to providing a safe environment for our clients to discuss their legal matter. If you want a support person to attend your appointment with you, please let WLST know. We are focused on ensuring that all clients feel safe and supported during their appointments, and that their privacy, confidentiality, and dignity is maintained.

You should provide WLST with copies of any documents you are seeking legal advice about, or that are relevant to your matter. Please also bring any other information you might have that is relevant to your legal matter, for example text messages or social media posts. You could consider writing a list of questions for the lawyer.

We understand that things change. Where possible, please contact WLST to cancel or rebook your appointment, so that we can make the time available to someone else.

You can ask for access to your file in writing by letter or email to WLST. We will ask you to verify your identity before we provide you with a copy of your file.

The documents you may receive copies of include:

• Correspondence with you and the other people involved in your case;

• Court documents;

• Documents provided by you, other parties or other documents excluding internal WLST records including file note.

We will not provide copies of these documents to anyone else unless we have your written consent to do so or we are required by law.

WLST lawyers will only disclose personal information to third parties with client consent or if we are required by law.

We value your feedback, both positive and negative, as it will help us improve our services. If you would like to give us feedback, you can:

·   Talk directly to a WLST staff member;

·   Ask to speak to a more senior staff member;

·   Contact our head office on phone 03 6231 9466;

·   Complete a Client Feedback Form. Forms are available online, at our offices in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie, or can be mailed to you at your request; or

·   Write to us at email: admin@womenslegaltas.org.au