Safeguarding access to justice, particularly for the most disadvantaged people in our community, is a core aspect of our advocacy work at the Law Society of NSW.

Well-resourced legal services are crucial to ensuring that tens of thousands of vulnerable people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, children and young people, aged people, people with disabilities, and domestic violence victims, have access to justice.

As part of my visits to the regions this year, I have had the opportunity to meet with the solicitors and staff working in some of our state’s Community Legal Centres, as well as those working in frontline domestic violence services such as the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (NSW).

These dedicated teams are dealing with some of the most vulnerable people and financially disadvantaged in our community. Their job is challenging enough without the additional stress of not having adequate resources to carry out their work.

Which is why we have welcomed the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to funding the state’s community legal sector which will provide new free legal services for the community, including domestic violence victims and their families.

We will of course continue to engage with the NSW Government on other key law and justice priorities, including better resources for courts, a new multi-purpose justice precinct in South Western Sydney, an expansion of the NSW Drug Court, and increased Legal Aid funding for private practitioners.

Finally, I would also like to wish former President of the NSW Court of Appeal Margaret Beazley AO QC every success in her new role serving the community of NSW. Her Excellency was sworn in as the 39th Governor of NSW at a ceremony at Government House in Sydney last Thursday.

Her Excellency enjoyed a stellar career in the judiciary and the law spanning more than four decades, and her deep belief in the value of community, education and the rule of law will serve her well in her new role.

Elizabeth Espinosa, Law Society President

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