Vision
A community where people can obtain legal and social justice

Mission

Darwin Community Legal Service seeks to help disadvantaged people to resolve their legal problems by providing:

• independent legal information
• legal advice
• legal casework, including representation

Outcome
A community in which:

• All members are able to access legal advice and support
• Unjust laws and procedures are challenged and changed
• People are aware of their legal rights

DCLS provides systemic advocacy, and advocacy support for individuals.

DCLS identifies laws and procedures that operate as barriers to justice, and works to change them through law reform campaigns. These systemic issues are identified through feedback from clients and advice from the broader community. DCLS participates in law reform activities initiated by other organisations, including government-initiated reviews of legislation, regulations, and procedures.

DCLS provides community legal education (CLE) about legal rights and responsibilities across the whole community, with a particular focus on human rights, discrimination law, and social justice. DCLS seeks to involve other agencies in the design and delivery of CLE. Topics for these sessions are determined by community consultations, discussions with clients, and analysis of DCLS client data.

DCLS aims to provide a fair and satisfying work environment for staff and volunteers. We promote a workplace that acknowledges people’s roles, experience, values and ideas.

DCLS aims to be a fearless, independent advocate which is visible and vocal on issues of injustice and disadvantage. We seek to be widely used and well regarded by the general community for our skilled advocacy, and for our ability to help clients obtain just outcomes.

Click here for Current Stategic Plan