Public Interest Law Clearing House
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The Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) is a not-for-profit legal referral service, operated from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. PILCH coordinates pro bono legal assistance for Victorian not-for-profit organisations and individuals. Since 1993 it has aimed to improve access to justice in Victoria by facilitating pro bono legal services to those otherwise unable to obtain it.
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[edit] History
PILCH was founded in 1994, following the model of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.
[edit] Schemes
Several schemes are run beneath the PILCH banner. Each scheme receives request for assistance, and refers cases to its members after establishing that certain criteria are met. The schemes are:
- the PILCH Legal Assistance Scheme, which provides assistance where this would be in the public interest;
- the Law Institute of Victoria Legal Assistance Scheme, which provides solicitors to individuals in need of advice but ineligible for Legal Aid; and
- the Victorian Bar Legal Assistance Scheme, which provides barristers to those in need of representation, but unable to obtain this through Legal Aid.
[edit] Projects
PILCH coordinates other legal initiatives, including:
- the Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic, which provides pro bono legal advice to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness; and
- the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, which aims to promote human rights through legal practice.
PILCH projects shortly to be launched are:
- a specialised legal service for older people
- a clinic focusing on legal issues facing not-for-profit organisations
[edit] Awards
PILCH has received the following awards in recognition of its work:
- The 2007 Business 3000 Community Responsibility Award
