SCALES employees are recognized for their leadership and contributions in the field of clinical legal education, community law and human rights. They are regular planners and moderators at national conferences and have written influential articles. In 2002, SCALES received the Human Rights in Law Award from the Australian Human Rights Commission in recognition of its excellent work with clients and teaching students about human rights in a social context. SCALES students help provide legal advice and assistance to approximately 800 to 900 people per year who would otherwise not have access to support. In each school year, SCALES provided clinical opportunities to approximately 50% of each graduating class. SCALES` clinical programs are nationally recognized and are truly the jewel in the crown of the Faculty of Law. Working at SCALES is very “convenient”, with students studying the functioning of the legal system responsible for real cases and real clients. SCALES Community Legal Centre Suite 3, St Nicholas Community Centre 14 Council Avenue (PO Box 542, ROCKINGHAM WA 6968) ROCKINGHAM WA 6168 P: 08 95500 400 F: 08 9527 4802 E: scales@murdoch.edu.au W: goto.murdoch.edu.au/scales In addition to representing clients, the clinical program includes non-procedural strategies for legal change, such as community building, legal reform and professional liability, a variety of practice-oriented drafting options, and a guide Reflecting on the Professional Role and Responsibility to Society at Large. SCALES provides free legal advice, information and representation to low-income people living in the Kwinana and Rockingham areas. SCALES also offers a national service in the field of immigration.
SCALES advises clients primarily in the following areas: criminal law; domestic violence; Family Law; social housing and renting; immigration and refugee law; Centrelink; Compensation for crimes, equal opportunity claims, consumer law, contracts, debts and civil law. Southern Communities Advocacy Legal and Education Service Inc. (SCALES) is a community law centre that houses Murdoch University`s legal clinic and opened in April 1997. SCALES was founded by Murdoch University in partnership with the local community. SCALES operates a Clinical Legal Training Unit and an Advanced Clinical Legal Education Unit. Murdoch University operates and supports a community law centre in Rockingham specifically for residents of Rockinhgam and Kwinana. It also offers a national service in the field of immigration. The centre is called The Southern Communities Advocacy Legal and Education Service Inc., better known as SCALES. SCALES staff are law students who work under the direct supervision of lawyers to provide free legal advice, support and advocacy. The service advises clients on a number of issues.
Click here to see the legal assistance offered by SCALES. For more information, please contact SCALES at 9550 0400. The main office is located in Rockingham, with offices in the law school building on Murdoch University`s South Street campus.