About LawRight
LawRight’s impact is delivered through strategic partnerships across 11 partner locations.
In FY 2025-2026, LawRight received 1,375 applications and supported 1,842 people to access justice:
- 614 through Court & Tribunal Service
- 1361 through Community & Health Justice Partnerships
- 161 through Pro Bono Connect.
This impact is made possible by more than 22,900 pro bono hours donated each year by over 800 lawyers from 65 law firms, as well as 170 barristers and 140 law students.
By meeting people where they are in community, health, and civic settings, LawRight helps secure housing, income, and legal rights, improving health and wellbeing.
Proudly supported by our Patron, the Chief Justice of Queensland, the Honourable Helen Bowskill, LawRight is working towards a fairer justice system for all.
Walk for Justice: Supporting Pro Bono
Held on National Pro Bono day (the Tuesday of National Law Week), the Walk is both a fundraiser and an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the valuable pro bono work undertaken by the Australian legal profession.
By walking, fundraising, or donating, you are helping us provide free legal support to those who need it most. Every step you take brings us closer to justice for all.
CHJP Client Story
Building Financial Security
Ashley* is a single mother with two very young children. She connected to Stable Futures through her support team at the Mater Young Adult Health Centre for supportto access financial assistance from Victim Assist after experience of family violence. Ashley was experiencing significant anxiety and stress because of the violence, which futher exacerbated her existing chronic health issue.
Adopting a holistic approach, Ashely's lawyer asked about her debts and the payments she was making.
Ashley was being chased for money and had reached out to a debt consolidation company for help. The payments under the proposed agreement were unaffordable but Ashley felt she had no other option. Ashely's lawyers had the proposed agreement cancelled. They worked closely with Ashley over many months to resolve each individual debt, totalling over $15,000. Taking a client-centred approach, Ashely gained knowledge about her legal rights, including how different types of credit work, while also developing skills that help her navigate these systems (and her money) more effectively.
With her debts resolved, Stable Futures helped Ashley to successfully apply for assistance from Victim Assist. She is now connected to a psychiatrist, who is helping with her recovery. She
remains supported by her Mater social worker and occasionally reaches out to Kate at Stable Futures to provide an update or to seek further guidance as she seeks to achieve her goals.
*Name has been changed for privacy
Copyright © 2025 LawRight, All rights reserved.
Court and Tribunal Client Story
Retiree sued for $250K for defamation after one email
Tavish* was a retiree and active member of a local community group. Membership had been declining and he was worried about the group’s sustainability. Tavish thought the current executive committee were not doing enough, so he emailed some of the members outlining his worries and encouraging them to vote in a new executive at the upcoming AGM.
Unfortunately some executive members took offense to Tavish’s emails, and he soon found himself being sued in defamation for over $250,000. Tavish simply couldn’t afford to pay for lawyers, so he approached LawRight for help.
Through appointments with volunteer lawyers, we took instructions from Tavish and helped demystify the legal process. The case against Tavish seemed weak as the executive members couldn’t articulate how the emails had caused them serious harm.
We referred the matter to counsel, who recommended Tavish ask the Court to make an early determination on whether serious harm had occurred. We gave the advice to Tavish and helped him write to the other side, explaining the weaknesses in their case and making a settlement offer.
After some negotiation, the parties were able to resolve the dispute.
*Name has been changed for privacy
Copyright © 2025 LawRight, All rights reserved.
Pro Bono Connect Client Story
From family support to financial dispute
Sandra’s* daughter, Meredith*, was having trouble getting money together for a deposit for a house. She asked Sandra if she would be willing to give her $85,000 towards a deposit, on the basis that Sandra would be able to live in Meredith’s house for the remainder of her life and be close to the family. Sandra agreed and moved into Meredith’s house after settlement.
Sandra and Meredith lived together for a few months before Meredith decided she wanted to travel overseas. Several months later, Meredith called Sandra from overseas and told her that she did not want to return to Australia and that she would need to sell her house. Sandra told Meredith she would need her $85,000 back to help her secure alternative accommodation.
Meredith refused, insisting that the money had been a gift, and their relationship quickly deteriorated.
Sandra faced the prospect of homelessness. The changes to her relationship with her daughter, and the loss of access to her grandchildren, also caused enormous emotional distress. However, we were able to successfully refer her to a law firm for full representation in the matter. Through their intensive support, Sandra and Meredith were able to reach an agreement.
*Name has been changed for privacy
Copyright © 2025 LawRight, All rights reserved.
LawRight has offices in Meanjin and Gimuy. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and waters throughout Australia and offer our respect to Elders past and present. We recognise the resilience of First Nations people despite historical and ongoing injustices, benefit from their knowledge and generosity, and support their right to self-determination.
