Victoria Law Foundation

“We’re excited to grow the team, so look out for opportunities in the coming months to join us and be at the forefront of our research. While VLF Research has had a colossal year, there is much more to come,” promises Research Director Dr. Hugh McDonald. “In 2025 for Research, we'll be moving into the next phase of our research building on the momentum we’ve gained. It’s shaping up to be a year of growth, innovation, and meaningful impact. “We’ve delivered two PULS reports this year, published several key papers and briefings on the PULS data, and launched the new project Measure for Measure—setting the stage for even greater things to come.” To stay updated on coming opportunities to work with us, subscribe to our Research News: https://zurl.co/5gd8D. It’s the best place to get insights into upcoming developments and plans. We can’t wait to share with you what’s next for VLF Research!

Celebrate the beginning of the 2025 legal year at the iconic Legal Laneway Breakfast! Join us in trendy Hardware Lane to catch up with friends and colleagues in the sector, enjoy a free breakfast, and mark the opening of the new legal year. You'll also hear from guest speakers, more details to come! We encourage everyone working in Victoria’s legal sector to come along and join the festivities. 8:00 am – 8:50 am 4th February 2025 Hardware Lane, Melbourne https://zurl.co/iYHjo

We were thrilled to have Kristen Wallwork, Belinda Lo, Chris Povey and Dr Hugh McDonald join us for an insightful discussion at our recent Research Network webinar, 'Insights from the International Access to Justice Forum 2024.' If you missed it or would like to revisit any of the content, a full recording of the webinar is now available! https://zurl.co/mOyqR South-East Monash Legal Service Eastern Community Legal Centre Justice Connect

Congratulations to @arcjustice Westjustice Justice Connect Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Barwon Community Legal Service and YouthLaw for receiving our first Major Grants! Our Major Grants aim to support organisations to improve the delivery of legal services that meet the diverse needs of Victorians. This is the first Major Grants offering under our new grant structure, with a total budget pool of $550,000. These grants provide up to $100,000 to support projects that focus on meeting legal need and building legal capability. You can learn about each project on our website: https://zurl.co/syfU2

Our 2024/25 Major Grants recipients have been announced! Congratulations to six organisations that have received grants for legal projects aimed at improving the delivery of legal services that meet the diverse needs of Victorians. This is the first Major Grants offering under our new grant structure, with a total budget pool of $550,000. These grants provide up to $100,000 to support projects that focus on meeting legal need and building legal capability. Congratulations ARC Justice , Westjustice , Justice Connect , Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service , Barwon Community Legal Service and Youthlaw. You can learn more about each project on our website: https://zurl.co/aGpwi

We're excited to have Kristen Wallwork, CEO of South-East Monash Legal Service, joining us for the final Research Network webinar of 2024. Kristen attended the recent International Access to Justice Forum in Canada, presenting their place-based approach to improving access to justice among young people. ‘Sporting Change’ consists of a school lawyer program and an after-school education program. This approach brings legal education to spaces where students can easily access it and incorporates it in an interactive way. “The integrated school lawyer can assist young people to deal with legal issues before they become a crisis. Research indicates that timely, accessible legal advice improves young peoples’ outcomes in the justice system and prevents issues from escalating.” Don't miss this insightful discussion, where Kristen joins a panel of presenters from the Forum to continue the conversation. Dec 11, 2024 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm Online https://lnkd.in/gTbmv9-m

Legal need and legal capability really matters. “Understanding how legal need is patterned and affects legal problem-solving behaviour, unlocks opportunity to better match legal assistance to what people need and democratise justice.” As a legal need survey incorporating new legal capability measures, the PULS provides a deeper understanding of legal problem-solving behaviour and demonstrates the need to humanise the justice system. Our Research Director Dr Hugh McDonald will join a range of panellists at our upcoming Research Network webinar to continue conversations from the recent International Access to Justice Forum in Canada, where he presented on new PULS findings. Don't miss this insightful discussion! Dec 11, 2024 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm Online https://lnkd.in/gTbmv9-m

We're thrilled to have Belinda Lo, Director of Legal Services and Principal Lawyer at the Eastern Community Legal Centre, presenting at our upcoming Research Network webinar. At the recent International Access to Justice Forum in Canada, Belinda presented research on the help seeker journey, understanding the impact of entry into legal assistance. “By continuously refining an intake approach tailored to help-seekers capabilities and leveraging innovative technologies in line with current and emerging help-seeking needs, services can better serve individuals facing complex legal and social challenges.” Don't miss this webinar, where Belinda joins a panel of presenters from the Forum to continue the conversation. Dec 11, 2024 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm Online https://lnkd.in/gTbmv9-m

Last week we were thrilled to attend the launch of the Access to Justice (A2J) Tech Network! VLF Research Director Dr. Hugh McDonald presented in a panel alongside Dr. Warren Mundy, Dr. Felicity Bell and Noel Lim on how legal capabilities intersect with technology and access to justice. A room full of technologists, lawyers, designers, academics and more made for an insightful discussion with some challenging questions for the panel. This growing community is a great opportunity to connect with other legal professionals, researchers and advocates interested in this emerging field. Get connected with the A2J Tech Network: https://zurl.co/6ZIS

We're excited to have Chris Povey, CEO of Justice Connect, as one of our fantastic panellists at the upcoming Research Network webinar. We'll be exploring insights from the recent International Access to Justice Forum in Canada, where Chris presented on an approach to increase access to justice in the face of climate disasters. “When disasters occur, existing legal problems are exacerbated, and new legal needs emerge. Droughts, fires, heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and floods are further growing the population of people who need critical legal help.” Don't miss this insightful discussion, where Chris joins a panel of presenters from the Forum to continue the conversation. Dec 11, 2024 2:00 pm - 3:15 pm Online https://lnkd.in/gTbmv9-m