Whether you’re a resident, small business or primary producer, our dedicated bushfire support legal team can provide free legal information, advice and assistance if you have been affected by Bushfires in Gippsland.Â
Our team understands the difficulties and range of legal issues presented by disaster and throughout the bushfire recovery journey. Legal issues frequently arise during the recovery process, whether they be insurance, temporary housing, rebuilding or other legal matters. Our goal is to support and assist you in making informed decisions throughout the recovery process.
We actively work alongside other support services such as financial counsellors, mental health support and case managers to provide holistic support.
How GCLS can help
We provide free legal assistance for issues in areas of law that include:
TenancyÂ
HousingÂ
Planning and environment law
Building contracts
InsuranceÂ
FinesÂ
Family violence and elder abuseÂ
CentrelinkÂ
Property law
ConsumerÂ
Family law
Neighbourhood disputes, including fencing.Â
If you are unsure whether your legal issue relates to any of the above, get in touch with us so that we can assist or direct you to the service that can best support you.Â
We will ask for your consent to refer you to free specialist legal centres or for ongoing and complex legal problems, if required.
Community legal education
As part of our work to ensure local communities are supported through their recovery journey, GCLS provides free community legal education. We aim to be responsive to community need and requests. Please contact us if you want a lawyer to come and speak to members of your community about a legal issue the community is facing.
Disaster recovery resources
As part of our bushfire recovery work, we regularly develop legal resources for bushfire affected communities. To view our bushfire recovery publications and resources, please see our publications page.
Natural disasters are difficult enough without the added stress of the legal issues that arise in disaster recovery. GCLS is here to help with the legal issues so that you can focus on your recovery.
To request a free telephone advice session, please call us on 1800 004 402 or fill out our online ‘Request an Appointment’ form. Our telephone line operates Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Alternatively, contact your local Bushfire Recovery Hub or your case support worker who can make a referral on your behalf.
If you are unable to access our telephone advice service, please fill out our online ‘Request an Appointment’ form and we can organise a face-to-face appointment.
