Community Lawyer/Advocate Fines

The Community Lawyer/Advocate will work within the Centre’s fines team to provide high quality and timely legal services to vulnerable and disadvantaged clients with infringements & transport related offences

The Community Lawyer/Advocate will provide information, advice, minor assistance, casework, court representation, WDP support and referral services as part of the Centre’s holistic service delivery practice.

The Community Lawyer will work with the Fines Clinic team to highlight the gaps and needs in the current fines system.

Key Accountability Areas 

1. Deliver high-quality legal advice and casework, advocacy and representation services.
2. Provide representation services in accordance with the Centre’s Advice and Casework Guidelines.
3. Conduct ongoing casework in accordance with the Centre’s Advice and Casework Guidelines and within the caseload/file limit directed from time to time
4. Facilitate Work and Development Permit Scheme placements as part of an integrated response to infringements.
5. Work closely and collaboratively with the Fines Victoria, Magistrates Courts and court staff.
6. Maintain an appropriate case management system, including undertaking regular file reviews
7. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including file notes and casework statistics.
8. Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, procedures and practices relevant to the position.
9. Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant information, resources and referral options for clients.
10. Participate in regular supervision and caseworkers’ meetings.
11. Ensure that all work is conducted within the requirements of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, the Centre’s professional indemnity insurance and the Centre’s policies and procedures.
12. Liaise with relevant organisations and workers.
13. Represent Peninsula Community Legal Centre at relevant community, government and other forums.
14. Participate in community legal education activities as directed.
15. Identify trends and issues arising from legal advice and casework practice.
16. Participate in activities which seek to ensure greater legislative and practical protection for PCLC clients, such as submission writing and participation in campaigns.
17. Liaise with and report to the Practice Manager, Crime & Civil on a regular basis.
18. Assist with collection of data and preparation of reports and other accountability documentation as required.

Organisational context 

Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is one of 49 community legal centres in Victoria. It operates across six local government area in the south east of Melbourne – Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Glen Eira, Kingston and Mornington Peninsula. PCLC is headquartered in Frankston and has branch offices in Bentleigh, Cranbourne and Rosebud.

PCLC works to empower and support disadvantaged community members of the South Eastern and Westernport region to use the law and legal system to protect and advance their rights and broaden their awareness of their responsibilities. PCLC offers general legal advice and casework services, specialist family law, tenancy, family violence, rooming house and social work programs, and is active in community legal education and law reform work.

Selection Criteria

• Possesses, or is eligible to possess, a current practicing certificate with one year post admission practice
• Applicants with tertiary qualifications in a relevant field such as law, community services, community development or social work with experience in fines, WDP’s and/or administrative law will be considered. 
• Highly developed advocacy skills 
• Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to social justice principles, understanding of the legal assistance sector and a commitment to PCLC ‘s vision and values.
• Experience in, or demonstrated capacity to undertake, direct legal service delivery, including provision of information, advice and referral services, negotiation and advocacy on behalf of clients, representation of clients in courts and other legal settings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of law and legal system, relevant legislation and procedures and relevant current issues relating to the Infringement System.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Well -developed organisational skills and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Competency in using word processing and electronic communication programs.
• Holds a current Victorian Driver’s Licence and has access to a reliable and comprehensively insured vehicle.

Other Relevant Information 

• You will be required to travel to PCLC branches, PCLC service locations and Courts & Tribunals.  Access to a reliable and comprehensively insured motor vehicle is a requirement.
• Ensure compliance with all Privacy Legislation and treat all information of a personal and sensitive nature concerning the business of PCLC and its clients, in a professional and confidential manner in accordance with PCLC’s information and records management procedures.
• Ensure all PCLC policies, procedures, systems and work practices are implemented and followed, particularly in relation to human resource management, risk management and customer service.
• Act in a professional manner at all times while performing duties for and/or representing PCLC in line with the Staff Code of Conduct.
• An attractive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful applicant.  Salary packaging is available.

Applications can be lodged through our job's portal including a CV and a covering letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria, and/or by email to the CEO at ••••@pclc.org,au

Applications close 5pm 11th September 2026 

For more information, please contact CEO Jackie Galloway Tel 9783 3600