Legal Resources

The Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) is a non-profit public interest legal centre that specialises in co-ordinating pro bono legal services in cases of public interest.

Eligible clients are non-profit associations with public interest objectives or individuals who are not eligible for legal aid or are unable to pay for the costs of legal services.

PILCH matches eligible clients with members who then act in the legal matter on pro bono basis or for a reduced fee. PILCH schemes include:

• the Seniors Rights Legal Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to older people who are seeking advice regarding elder abuse or other issues associated with aging and are unable to afford a private lawyer
• the Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to, and advocacy on behalf of, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness 
• the Law Institute of Victoria Legal Assistance Scheme (LIVLAS), which provides legal assistance to people in legal and financial need who cannot afford to pay a solicitor or obtain assistance from another appropriate organisation 
• the Victorian Bar Legal Assistance Scheme, which provides legal advice and representation to assist people whose cases have merit or involve an important principle and which would not otherwise be heard due to a lack of funds to pursue the case 
• the Public Interest Law Scheme, which provides assistance to individuals, community groups and not-for-profit organisations who raise issues of public interest that require legal resolution 
• PilchConnect, which provides free and low cost legal information, training, advice and legal referrals for Victorian not-for-profit community organisations.

See the PILCH website for details of eligibility criteria and how to apply.