LawHelp

LawHelp is a referral service that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations:

• interpret and comply with laws
• manage the legal side of a transfer of registration to the CATSI Act
• many other legal issues.

Who can apply

LawHelp provides free legal assistance to:

• existing Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander corporations that are not-for-profit and registered under the CATSI Act, or
• existing entities seeking to transfer to the CATSI Act, provided the entity:
  • is not-for-profit
  • has more than 20 members
  • is not requesting an exemption from director term requirements.

What LawHelp can help with

For eligible corporations, LawHelp can help with:

• drafting complex rule book provisions
• tax issues with transferring
• amendments to contracts
• changing legal names of assets (eg. land and vehicles)
• understanding state or territory legislation for current incorporation
• drafting meeting notices or advice to members and staff about the transfer process
• compliance with applicable laws
• contract drafting, negotiation, and management
• employment law issues (eg. contracts, workers’ compensation, OH&S and Fair Work Act)
• basic tax issues (eg. ABN, GST, FBT, PAYG, concessional tax treatment)
• legal risk management and disclaimers
• consumer protection and trade practices
• information and communication technology (ICT) related legal issues
• intellectual property (IP) (eg. copyright, trademarks, domain names and IP commercialisation)
• real estate and property matters (buying, selling, leasing and planning issues).

What LawHelp cannot help with

LawHelp cannot help corporations with:

• registering a new corporation
• questions about regulatory acts of the Registrar (eg. compliance decisions and enforcement actions)
• native title matters handled by native title representative bodies (NTRBs) and native title service providers (NTSPs)
• legal action in any court or tribunals
• issues involving potential conflict with Australian Government interests (eg. funding agreements, Indigenous land use agreements and township leases)
• transfers out of the CATSI Act to other legislation (eg. Corporations Act).

Sometimes a LawHelp lawyer cannot give advice because of a conflict of interest or other issue.

If LawHelp cannot assist, you may contact the Australian Pro Bono Centre for links to state and territory pro bono referral schemes. 

LawHelp is free

There is no charge to apply to LawHelp. 

If you’re referred to a lawyer, their services will be free of charge, or pro bono (volunteer).

You may be asked to contribute to some expenses that the lawyer incurs, such as:

• filing fees for documents
• large amounts of photocopying
• costs of interpreters or travel. 

They’ll discuss any proposed charges with you beforehand.