Areas of Law

Women’s Legal Service NSW (WLS NSW) provides legal advice and casework services to women who are disadvantaged by their cultural, social and economic circumstances and are seeking equitable access to legal services.

We prioritise services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women with disabilities, women who are victims of domestic violence and women who reside in geographic areas of high disadvantage and high legal need.

WLS NSW provides specialist legal services in the areas set out below.

Domestic and family violence

  • Escaping domestic violence
  • Police or private applications for Apprehended Domestic Violence Order: protected persons and defendants
  • Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders hearings
  • Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders appeals to the District Court

Family law

  • Divorce or Separation
  • Women who are representing themselves in family law proceedings
  • Credit and debt related to relationship issues (“sexually transmitted debt”)
  • Where there are other issues relating to the human rights of women

Sexual assault

  • Sexual assault
  • Sexual assault communications privilege in criminal and Apprehended Violence Order proceedings

Victims support

  • Where there is domestic or family violence, sexual assault or other issues relating to the human rights of women

Human rights and access to justice issues

  • Where a woman’s human rights have been breached
  • Where a woman is significantly disadvantaged in accessing justice

Child Care and Protection

  • General advice and referrals
  • Advocacy for Aboriginal women or women in prison
  • Child abuse allegations
  • Child support
  • Parental Responsibility Contracts
  • Preliminary advice and negotiation about Parental Capacity Orders
  • Variations to contact orders
  • Post final order contact disputes
  • Any other questions about welfare, family, discrimination or domestic violence

Discrimination and employment

  • Discrimination matters, particularly:
    • sex discrimination
    • sexual harassment
    • pregnancy discrimination
    • discrimination due to a carer’s responsibilities
  • Employment matters relating to:
    • discrimination of a woman in the above areas
    • where a woman has suffered disadvantage in the workplace because she is a woman
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